The new head of FIDE said how to solve the issue of the suspension of Russia

The new president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Timur Turlov told TASS about his goals as head of the organization.

Earlier on Saturday, a representative of Kazakhstan, founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Turlov was elected head of FIDE.

“I will do my best to bring the community together. So that the [chess] community finds the strength to negotiate, move towards each other, respect each other. I am sure that in accordance with these principles, we will find agreement where it was difficult to find it, Turlov said.

According to Turlov, this is his main role. I want FIDE to serve all its federations. Everyone was treated with respect and maintained a respectful dialogue inside, he added

When asked how the issue of the suspension of the Russian Chess Federation (FSHR) would be resolved, Turlov replied: “In full compliance with international law.”.

Since 2022, after the beginning of the military operation in Ukraine, the Russians could only play in personal FIDE tournaments in neutral status. In January 2025, the federation allowed Russians to play junior team tournaments, as well as team tournaments for players with disabilities. In 2025, FIDE allowed the Russians to play at the World Team Championship, which they won.

On December 14, 2025, delegates of the FIDE General Assembly first supported the return of Russian chess players with national symbols, and then voted for neutral status. The organization sought advice from the IOC. Later, FIDE did not allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to perform under their national symbols at the adult level.

On June 11, 2026, FIDE temporarily suspended the membership of the FSHR for non-compliance with the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, according to which the FSHR had to stop regulating chess activities and events in Sevastopol, Crimea, the DPR, the LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions.