Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, has announced that he will run for the position of Deputy President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), DKNews.kz reports.
He shared the news on his social media accounts, confirming that he will join the election team of incumbent FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.
Under FIDE rules, candidates for President and Deputy President run on a joint ticket.
The elections will take place on September 26–27, 2026, during the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand, where the 46th World Chess Olympiad will also be held.
Building on Kazakhstan’s Chess Success
According to Turlov, his decision reflects the progress achieved in Kazakhstan over the past three and a half years.
«The results achieved over these past 3.5 years have convinced me of a simple fact: the approach we use in Kazakhstan works, and it can be scaled much further, to the level of global chess»
Since becoming President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation in 2023, Turlov has overseen a broad transformation of the country's chess system.
The reforms have focused on expanding access to chess, strengthening youth development, and introducing digital technologies across the sport.
Major Reforms in Kazakhstan
During his leadership, several nationwide initiatives have been introduced.
Key achievements include:
- Expansion of the Chess in Education program
- Development of regional chess infrastructure
- Digitalization of athlete data
- Organization of major FIDE tournaments in Kazakhstan
- Launch of a Youth Talent Support Program
The Youth Talent Support Program provides promising players with access to elite coaches, modern training resources, and opportunities to compete internationally.
Chess in Schools Continues to Expand
One of the federation’s flagship initiatives has been the rapid growth of the Chess in Education program.
According to the federation:
- More than 1,500 schools now participate
- Over 60,000 primary school students are involved
- The program operates across every region of Kazakhstan
The initiative aims to introduce chess as part of the educational process while helping develop analytical thinking and problem-solving skills among young students.
Kazakhstan Strengthens Its International Position
Kazakhstan has also continued to improve its competitive results on the international stage.
Today, the country fields one of the world's strongest youth national teams and one of the leading women's teams.
In 2025 alone, Kazakh players won:
- 162 medals at international tournaments
- 64 gold medals
The federation has also introduced a modern accreditation system for chess schools and clubs.
Preparations are currently underway for the launch of the unified KazChess ID digital platform, which is expected to become the foundation of Kazakhstan’s national chess ecosystem.
Vision for FIDE
Turlov said his experience in both technology and sports administration would allow him to contribute to the future development of FIDE.
«The team we are running with is truly international, and I represent the very 'middle power' that our President has frequently spoken about. My objective is to bring more stability, balance, and mutual understanding to FIDE. Furthermore, as a leading tech entrepreneur, I can make the federation more digital. In this sense, I represent more than just myself. After all, Kazakhstan today is exactly that kind of country: digital, technological, and resilient, capable of maintaining a calm and balanced dialogue with everyone: a country increasingly recognized globally as a reliable partner. I believe it is only right to bring qualities such as our technological edge and our stability into international institutions»
He also expressed confidence that a successful election campaign would become another source of pride for Kazakhstan.
Why This Matters
Timur Turlov’s candidacy marks the first time in recent years that a representative of Kazakhstan has sought one of the highest elected positions within FIDE.
The nomination reflects Kazakhstan’s growing influence in international chess, supported by expanding youth programs, improved competitive results, and increasing investment in digital technologies and event organization.
If elected, Turlov would help shape the future direction of one of the world's largest international sports federations while further raising Kazakhstan’s profile within the global chess community.
