The race for the presidency of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) reaches its culmination in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where delegates gather for an election cycle defined by multimillion-dollar campaigns, legal disputes, and high-stakes political maneuvering.
Millions, Lawsuits, and a Bentley Wager
Three candidates are vying to lead global chess: Timur Turlov, a 38-year-old businessman; Wadim Rosenstein; and Jan Henric Buettner. According to accounts from industry figures, the financial scale of the contest has reached extraordinary levels.
Ylia Merenzon, CEO of World Chess, revealed an unconfirmed report that Rosenstein and Buettner made a wager involving a Bentley motor vehicle, hinging on whether Buettner secures at least 30 of the 202 available votes.
Legal Disputes and Financial Intimidation
While the luxury car bet remains an informal anecdote within chess circles, the financial and legal friction surrounding the frontrunner is a matter of public record. Turlov, the wealthiest of the three candidates, recently had legal representatives file a lawsuit in the United States against Spanish journalist David Llada.
The legal action came in response to statements made by Llada—a former communications director for the international federation—asserting that Turlov, a Kazakh-nationalized businessman, maintained a Russian passport and that it was false that he had renounced said citizenship. A grand master characterized the billionaire’s legal action as financial intimidation.
Polls Shift as Momentum Grows
Betting markets reflect a widening gap among the contenders. Financial tracking on the election has seen Turlov’s polling position rise from 80% to 90%, illustrating an ecosystem where federations often shift support toward anticipated winners to secure future administrative backing.
Spain Shifts Support to Turlov
Spain’s official position in the election has also drawn intense debate. David Llada, who is running for a vice-presidential post, came into conflict with the Spanish Chess Federation (FEDA) after publishing statements regarding how the Spanish vote would be cast following the announcement that the Youth World Championships will take place in Roquetas de Mar.
While FEDA initially rejected accusations of vote-selling or corruption, Ramón Padullés, technical director of FEDA and the official designated to cast Spain’s ballot in Samarkand, confirmed that the federation’s support will go to Turlov. Padullés cited the strength of Turlov’s administrative team as the decisive factor, stating that no other candidate has assembled a comparable group of professionals.
Padullés added that FEDA held discussions with Buettner, viewing him as a strong future candidate, but had no active communication with Rosenstein.
Campaign Friction and Controversy in Samarkand
The campaign environment in Samarkand has seen continuous friction among the camps. Administrative disputes included Rosenstein and Buettner challenging Turlov’s eligibility and questioning the validity of his renunciation of Russian citizenship. In response, Turlov filed a complaint against Rosenstein over a sponsorship agreement signed with the German federation during the active campaign window. Buettner also raised allegations that FIDE favored Turlov, who is running alongside interim FIDE president and former world champion Viswanathan Anand.
Further controversy arose involving FIDE Executive Director Emil Sutovsky, who criticized Rosenstein regarding multilingualism and religious background. Rosenstein countered the remarks by emphasizing the importance of mutual respect across diverse backgrounds rather than identity-based scrutiny.
Delegates prepare to cast their ballots ahead of the conclusion of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, with the results expected to reshape the governance of international chess for the coming term.
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