Arkady Dvorkovich, the Russian president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), could face challenges to his re-election due to a proposed EU visa ban tied to his support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The ban is under discussion and might take effect by late February, ahead of the FIDE congress in Samarkand in September. Western chess federations have voiced frustration over FIDE's close links to Russia amid the ongoing conflict.
The potential EU sanctions against Arkady Dvorkovich stem from accusations outlined in a European Commission charge-sheet discussed by EU ambassadors on 13 February. The document, seen by EUobserver, claims Dvorkovich referred to occupied Ukrainian territories as 'new territories' of the Russian Federation and played a key role in organizing chess tournaments in Russian-occupied areas, including Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions.
If implemented as part of the EU's 20th round of sanctions against Russia, the visa ban and asset freeze could be in place by 24 February. This would coincide with preparations for the FIDE presidential election at the organization's congress in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 9 to 28 September, where Dvorkovich, aged 69, is expected to seek another four-year term. The event will also host the 46th Chess Olympiad, drawing players from around 200 countries.
Aleksi Olander from the Finnish Chess Federation told EUobserver: 'If the EU will impose some visa ban on Dvorkovich, I think it is impossible for him to continue in his role.' Volodymyr Kovalchuk, vice-president of the Ukrainian Chess Federation (FSUE), added: 'It’s important to us that after the imposition of sanctions, he must automatically resign.' FSUE reports that Russian aggression has killed 44 Ukrainian chess players and coaches, including former vice-president Artem Sachuk.
Dvorkovich has publicly supported Russia's invasion and the return of Russian players to international competitions. Last December, FIDE readmitted Russian and Belarusian players, a decision challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport by federations from England, Estonia, Germany, Norway, and Ukraine. Estonia's Villu Otsmann stated: 'It violates sportsmanship towards Ukraine to support Russian chess players coming back with their flag.' Sweden's Håkan Jalling noted: 'The Nordics will keep our sanctions [on Russian players].'
FIDE responded: 'In the event of any situation that could potentially affect the exercise of an elected official’s duties, FIDE would follow its established internal procedures... based on verified facts and in full compliance with its regulations.' Kovalchuk highlighted Ukraine's resilience, saying chess remains popular there despite the war, aiding youth teams' success from 2022 to 2025.
The situation echoes Cold War divisions in chess, though Kovalchuk cautioned against direct comparisons, emphasizing the current conflict's human cost.
