Viswanathan Anand becomes FIDE interim president after EU sanctions force Arkady Dvorkovich to step aside

On July 23, 2026, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) woke up to a leadership change none of its members voted for. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand took over as interim president after the European Union placed FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich on its 21st sanctions package over Russia's war on Ukraine. Dvorkovich voluntarily suspended his powers hours later, handing the organization to its first sitting world champion president in half a century .

Here’s how it happened, what the sanctions mean, and what comes next for FIDE.

The EU sanctions that triggered the change

The European Union's 21st sanctions package against Russia, issued in connection with the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, placed punitive measures on 170 entities and 48 individuals . Arkady Dvorkovich was one of them, alongside Russia's Minister of Sports and President of the Russian Olympic Committee, Mikhail Degtyarev .

The sanctions impose an EU travel ban and asset freeze. Because FIDE is based in Switzerland, equivalent restrictive measures under Swiss law also apply . The legal basis cited is EU Regulation No 269/2014 and the Swiss "Ordonnance instituant des mesures en lien avec la situation en Ukraine" .

Ukraine's Minister of Youth and Sports, Matvii Bidnyi, stated that Dvorkovich "promotes the interests of the Kremlin while holding the position of president of the International Chess Federation" and "consistently uses his position to spread the narratives of the aggressor state and legitimize Russia in world sports" .

Dvorkovich's response: suspension, not resignation

Dvorkovich issued an official statement on FIDE's website, calling the sanctions "unlawful and unfair" and announcing he would challenge the decision "by all possible means" through the courts .

But he also acknowledged a practical problem: until a formal court decision is rendered, the sanctions "could hinder the stable functioning of FIDE" . So he voluntarily suspended the exercise of his powers and duties as FIDE President with immediate effect, for as long as he remains subject to sanctions under EU and Swiss law .

The FIDE Council accepted and ratified the decision, specifically ruling that Dvorkovich shall not act as "détenteur de contrôle" (owner, holder, or controller) of FIDE or its assets for the duration of the sanctions .

This is not a formal resignation. Dvorkovich remains FIDE president in name only, having handed over all rights, duties, and authority attached to the office .

Anand's appointment under Article 19.2

The mechanism for the handover was already in FIDE's rulebook. Under Article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter, when the President is unable to exercise powers, the Deputy President assumes the role .

Viswanathan Anand had been serving as FIDE Deputy President since 2022, elected alongside Dvorkovich . As the 15th World Champion, Anand becomes the first title-holder to run the federation since Max Euwe in the 1970s . He will act as Interim President for as long as Dvorkovich remains subject to EU and Swiss sanctions .

Broader context: FIDE's long-running Russia tensions

Dvorkovich's background made him an inevitable target. A former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia (2012–2018) and a close associate of Vladimir Putin, he was elected FIDE President in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 .

The EU had been moving toward sanctioning Dvorkovich for months. As early as February 2026, leaked EU documents showed he was included in draft sanctions packages for "publicly supporting the annexation of Crimea and recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk" . He was removed from an earlier draft in April 2026 after reported lobbying, but was ultimately included in the 21st package .

Since the 2022 invasion, FIDE has faced ongoing criticism for maintaining close ties with the Russian chess establishment. Dvorkovich had resisted calls to sever FIDE's relationship with Russian state sponsors and had defended the participation of Russian and Belarusian players under neutral flags, though under conditions of restrictions . He had also stated publicly that he would resign if placed on an international sanctions list .

Key takeaway

Anand's takeover is a direct, immediate consequence of the EU's 21st sanctions package targeting Dvorkovich. Dvorkovich did not resign outright but suspended all powers to avoid destabilizing FIDE, while vowing to fight the sanctions in court. Anand, already Deputy President, stepped in under the FIDE Charter and will serve as interim leader for the duration of the sanctions.