Viswanathan Anand Becomes Interim FIDE President After EU Sanctions on Dvorkovich

XtraTime Web Desk:

Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand has assumed the role of interim president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) after European Union sanctions were imposed on FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. The sanctions target several individuals considered to have close ties with Russia amid the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, with Dvorkovich among those named.

Dvorkovich, who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Russia from 2012 to 2018, has been FIDE President since 2018. Following the sanctions, he decided to temporarily step aside from his duties, leading to Anand, the federation's deputy president, taking over as interim chief.

When Dvorkovich was re-elected as FIDE President in 2022, Anand had publicly backed his candidature. Later that year, during the FIDE Congress in Chennai, the five-time world champion was elected as one of FIDE's vice-presidents.

Confirming the development in a post on X, Anand said that he had assumed the responsibilities of interim president in accordance with the provisions of the FIDE Charter after Dvorkovich temporarily stepped aside.

Anand also thanked Dvorkovich for putting the interests of FIDE above all else and reaffirmed his commitment to serving the global chess community. He added that he looks forward to working with everyone to ensure the continued growth and smooth functioning of the international chess federation.