Awards AppointmentsSaturday, 25 July 2026·Hindu Tamil Thisai
Viswanathan Anand becomes FIDE interim president after Arkady Dvorkovich steps aside
Viswanathan Anand was appointed FIDE interim president after Arkady Dvorkovich stepped aside amid EU sanctions.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand became the interim president of FIDE after Arkady Dvorkovich stepped aside following European Union sanctions linked to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Key specifics
- FIDE is the International Chess Federation, and Arkady Dvorkovich had been its president before stepping aside.
- Viswanathan Anand is a five-time world champion and had served as FIDE vice-president since 2022.
- The change was triggered by European Union economic sanctions related to the Russia-Ukraine war.
- EU action could lead to bank account freezes and travel restrictions for Arkady Dvorkovich.
- The appointment was made under FIDE rules, making Anand the interim president in 2026.
Exam lens
Question type: international sports administration and appointments. TNPSC one-liner: in July 2026, Viswanathan Anand, a five-time world champion and FIDE vice-president since 2022, became interim president after Arkady Dvorkovich stepped aside under EU sanctions.