FIDE Names Anand as Acting President Following EU Restriction on Dvorkovich

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) announced that Indian grandmaster Viswanathan Anand will serve as acting president. This decision is a direct result of the European Union’s inclusion of Russian FIDE chief Arkady Dvorkovich in its newest sanctions roster. The 21st EU sanctions package, the biggest since the onset of the Ukraine war, lists 48 individuals and 170 entities, enabling asset freezes and travel prohibitions. Dvorkovich has called the action illegal and plans to fight it through legal channels, but he has voluntarily suspended his presidential duties while the sanctions are in effect. Under FIDE’s governance rules, the deputy president assumes responsibility, and Anand will oversee the federation until the restrictions are lifted or a new president is elected at the upcoming general assembly.