New Delhi, 24 July (H.S.): Indian chess legend and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has been appointed as the interim president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) after FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich stepped down from the position following his inclusion in the European Union’s sanctions list.

In a statement issued on Friday, FIDE said that Vice President Viswanathan Anand will serve as the interim president under Article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter. The arrangement will remain in place until the sanctions imposed by Switzerland and the European Union against Dvorkovich remain effective. The election for the new FIDE president is scheduled to be held in September.

FIDE said it has accepted Dvorkovich’s decision and suspended all his rights, duties and privileges as president. The organisation added that he will not be permitted to operate, manage or exercise control over FIDE or its assets in any capacity during the suspension period.

The European Union has included Dvorkovich, along with 48 individuals and 170 entities, in its sanctions list under its 21st sanctions package related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The package is considered the EU’s largest sanctions measure in the last four years.

Dvorkovich, who served as Russia’s deputy prime minister from 2012 to 2018, said he would challenge the EU’s decision through all available legal channels. He stated that he had voluntarily suspended his responsibilities to ensure that FIDE’s functioning remained unaffected.

“I have full confidence in the FIDE Council. I believe that the Council and administration will successfully overcome all challenges and ensure the uninterrupted continuation of FIDE tournaments, social programmes and other activities,” Dvorkovich said.

With Anand taking over as interim president, FIDE will have experienced leadership until the presidential elections in September. Anand, widely regarded as India’s greatest chess player, was already serving as a FIDE vice president and handling administrative responsibilities within the organisation.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar