Timur Turlov Elected Eighth FIDE President
The 38-year-old was elected at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Boxing
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Timur Turlov has been elected as the eighth president of FIDE, succeeding Arkady Dvorkovich. The 38-year-old was selected during the 46th Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Why it matters
The leadership change arrives alongside calls for systemic reforms within regional federations. Manny Pacquiao has initiated plans to create a new group to foster unity and address the stagnation of chess development in the Philippines.
Timur Turlov, who is 38 years old, is the second youngest person ever elected to the FIDE presidency. The election occurred during the 46th edition of the Chess Olympiad.
The players
Timur Turlov
He is the newly elected 38-year-old president of FIDE and the second youngest individual to hold the position.
Manny Pacquiao
The professional athlete and political figure is seeking to spearhead a reform group to address the development of chess in the Philippines.
Arkady Dvorkovich
He served as the president of FIDE from 2018 until 2026.
The details
Manny Pacquiao recently congratulated Turlov while detailing his own plans to challenge the current trajectory of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. Pacquiao declined a vice president position with that organization, alleging that funds were not returned following a tournament stalemate.
Timeline
Arkady Dvorkovich served as FIDE president from 2018 to 2026.
Manny Pacquiao congratulated Timur Turlov on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The leadership transition marks a significant pivot point for international chess governance following the eight-year tenure of Arkady Dvorkovich. This shift coincides with grassroots reform movements in the Philippines that could challenge the traditional authority of established national federations.
The emergence of an independent reform group in the Philippines suggests a potential split in national governance that could affect future tournament participation and arbiter assignments. Investors and organizers should monitor whether these administrative changes lead to changes in local event funding and participation standards.
The takeaway
The election of a new FIDE president signals a potential shift in the administrative priorities of international chess. Stakeholders should watch for how new reform groups in countries like the Philippines influence the future of regional development and federation accountability.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Boxing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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