Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand has taken over as interim president of FIDE, the International Chess Federation, after incumbent president Arkady Dvorkovich stepped aside following his inclusion in the European Union's latest sanctions list related to the Russia-Ukraine war. FIDE said that "in accordance with article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter, Mr. Anand Viswanathan, Deputy President of FIDE, shall act as Interim President as long as Mr. Dvorkovich is subject to the restrictive measures provided by the Swiss and EU laws and regulations in force." Anand was serving as FIDE Deputy President. Dvorkovich called the sanctions "completely unjustified, unfair and based on political characterisations" and said he would challenge them through legal channels, arguing their only purpose was to prevent him from running again. The sanctions effectively rule him out of a third term as FIDE president.
Key Facts & Details
11 points- 1Viswanathan Anand is now interim president of FIDE, the International Chess Federation.
- 2He took over after Arkady Dvorkovich stepped aside on 24 July 2026.
- 3Dvorkovich was included in the EU's latest sanctions list over the Russia-Ukraine war.
- 4The handover invoked Article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter.
- 5Anand was serving as FIDE Deputy President before this.
- 6He will act as interim president as long as the Swiss and EU restrictive measures apply.
- 7The sanctions rule Dvorkovich out of a third term as FIDE president.
- 8Dvorkovich called the sanctions unjustified and politically motivated and said he would challenge them legally.
Deep Dive
- +Anand is a five-time world chess champion.
- +Dvorkovich confirmed the arrangement stays in effect while he remains sanctioned.
- +Reports indicated Anand would run FIDE for about two months.
Exam Focus
Under which article of the FIDE Charter did Viswanathan Anand become interim president?
Exam Relevance & Angle
An Indian heading a global sports federation is guaranteed general awareness, and the charter article plus Anand's prior post as Deputy President are testable specifics.
Target Exams
Background & Context
FIDE is the world governing body for chess, and its president is elected to fixed terms. When a sitting president cannot exercise the office, Article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter provides for the Deputy President to act in their place — which is how Anand stepped up without an election. Sanctions are restrictive measures a state or bloc imposes on named individuals, typically freezing assets and barring travel or dealings. Because FIDE is headquartered in Switzerland, both Swiss and EU measures bear on whether its president can function, which is why the FIDE statement refers to both.
Test Yourself
1 / 2Viswanathan Anand became FIDE interim president under which provision?
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