The Shifting Landscape of International Chess Governance
For an extended period, Russian influence has been a prominent force within the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the global governing body for chess. However, the upcoming presidential election in September could mark a pivotal moment, as two German candidates have announced their bids to unseat the current president, Arkady Dvorkovich. This development suggests a potential shift in the power dynamics that have long characterized international chess.
Arkady Dvorkovich, a former Russian deputy prime minister, is seeking a third term as FIDE president. He was first elected in 2018 and, despite sanctions imposed on Russian sports following the conflict in Ukraine, secured re-election in August 2022 with substantial support. Dvorkovich emphasizes a vision for FIDE that is "even more open, efficient, and responsive." While Russia's direct dominance in competitive chess has diminished, with recent world champions hailing from China and India, Russian influence within FIDE's organizational structure remains considerable. A significant portion of FIDE's funding is reportedly linked, directly or indirectly, to Russian sources. Timur Turlov, a financier who became a Kazakh citizen in 2022 but is originally from Russia, is a key sponsor of FIDE and is now running for FIDE vice president on Dvorkovich's ticket.
German Challengers Enter the Fray
The September election, to be held in Uzbekistan, is anticipated to be a closely contested race among the approximately 200 national delegates. Peter Heine Neilsen, coach to former world champion Magnus Carlsen, acknowledges Dvorkovich as the favorite but notes that potential EU sanctions against him could alter the situation. Neilsen, who previously ran for FIDE president in 2022 on a ticket with Ukrainian grandmaster Andrey Baryshpolets, is now backing German investor Jan Henric Buettner.
Buettner, a former internet executive, aims to "improve transparency and create sustainable, long-term growth for our sport." His running mate for vice president is veteran English chess official Malcolm Pein. Pein highlights the immense growth of chess globally over the past five years, contrasting it with what he perceives as FIDE's stagnation. He asserts that a critical challenge for FIDE is to attract new sponsors devoid of Russian ties, expressing strong criticism of Russia's current dominance within the organization.
Buettner's candidacy, however, has surprised some within the chess community. He has recently been involved in helping Magnus Carlsen establish "freestyle" chess, a variant where the starting position is randomized, making memorized opening sequences irrelevant. Observers sometimes perceive Buettner more as an entrepreneurial figure than a traditional federation president.
Another German Candidate: Wadim Rosenstein
The German Chess Federation (DSB) has chosen to support a different German candidate, Wadim Rosenstein, a 35-year-old entrepreneur from Düsseldorf. Paul Meyer-Dunker, president of the DSB, expressed skepticism regarding Buettner's candidacy, noting a lack of prior consultation or collaboration. Rosenstein, who began financing and organizing high-level chess events globally in 2022, envisions FIDE becoming "one of the most respected institutions" in international sports. Meyer-Dunker characterizes Rosenstein as a man of action who has invested millions of euros in chess through his company, WR Logistics, a significant sponsor of FIDE events. While Rosenstein declined to specify the exact amount of his investments, he stated that his companies operate in approximately 70 countries.
Even Buettner's camp acknowledges Rosenstein's substantial contributions to the global chess scene. However, questions persist regarding Rosenstein's business background. Malcolm Pein, while appreciative of Rosenstein's sponsorship and organizational efforts, raised concerns about the absence of concrete information regarding his business dealings. Rosenstein counters that his companies are privately held and thus not obligated to disclose detailed financial information. Born in present-day Ukraine in 1990, Rosenstein's business focus until 2022 included supporting German companies in regions like Ukraine and Russia. He ceased doing business with Russia in 2022, although he formally retains ownership of companies there.
DSB President Meyer-Dunker is aware of the ongoing speculation surrounding Rosenstein's motives and background but maintains that he is a successful and reputable entrepreneur with a deep passion for chess. Meyer-Dunker believes Rosenstein offers the best chance to unseat Dvorkovich and implement necessary reforms in international chess. Pein, however, declined an invitation to join Rosenstein's ticket due to lingering suspicions. He demands a clear statement from Rosenstein regarding the Russian Chess Federation's activities in occupied Ukrainian territories and the participation of Russian players and teams in official FIDE events.
Impact of CAS Ruling on Russian Influence
A recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in favor of Ukraine, which had complained about the Russian Chess Federation organizing events in occupied Ukrainian territories, has significant implications. In June, FIDE suspended the Russian federation's membership due to this ruling. This means that, as it stands, the Russian federation is barred from voting in the September FIDE election.
When asked about his stance on the matter, Rosenstein stated, "As a matter of principle, I would prefer a world in which every player can compete under their own national flag." He added that the FIDE President must serve all member federations responsibly and within the rules, acknowledging the clear legal framework established by the CAS ruling against the Russian Chess Federation, which must be implemented immediately. The campaign is being closely observed in Russia, with the Russian Chess Federation's website featuring favorable articles on Dvorkovich's and Rosenstein's candidacies, while notably omitting any mention of Jan Henric Buettner and Malcolm Pein. Peter Heine Neilsen suggests that in the chess world, there's often a focus on organizing interesting tournaments and events, with less scrutiny of funding sources.
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