The race for the presidency of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) officially kicked off on Friday as Wadim Rosenstein announced his long-expected candidacy, hours before fellow German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner entered the competition in a more surprising move.
The two Germans become the first declared challengers to incumbent FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who has not yet formally announced whether he will seek another term at September’s General Assembly in Uzbekistan, but is widely expected to run.
Rosenstein was the first to announce his campaign on Friday morning, naming Chinese businessman Gordon Tang as his candidate for deputy president.
“I love chess. It has shaped my life, my way of thinking, and even the way I built my businesses. Chess deserves an organization that matches its greatness,” he said in his announcement, shared on X.
I love chess. It has shaped my life, my way of thinking, and even the way I built my businesses. Chess deserves an organization that matches its greatness.
—Wadim Rosenstein
Rosenstein said FIDE needs “stronger leadership, professional governance, faster decision-making, and a clear vision for the future,” while promising to present a comprehensive program with “concrete proposals and measurable objectives” in the coming weeks.
“Chess has enormous untapped potential,” he wrote. “We must strengthen communication, modernize our digital infrastructure, attract new sponsors, improve marketing, invest in education, support our federations more effectively, and build a truly global chess ecosystem.”
He added: “My vision is clear: FIDE should become one of the world’s most respected institutions in international sport.”
My vision is clear: FIDE should become one of the world’s most respected institutions in international sport.
—Wadim Rosenstein
Wadim Rosenstein’s full announcement
Dear chess friends,
Today, I am announcing my candidacy for the presidency of FIDE.
I love chess. It has shaped my life, my way of thinking, and even the way I built my businesses. Chess deserves an organization that matches its greatness.
Today, FIDE has many dedicated people working hard for our sport. But dedication alone is not enough. We need stronger leadership, professional governance, faster decision-making, and a clear vision for the future. Our national federations deserve a governing body that listens, supports, innovates, and delivers.
That is why I have decided to run for President of FIDE.
I am proud to do so together with my running mate, Gordon Tang.
Together, we have built international companies, managed large organizations, attracted investment, and led teams across the world. We understand how successful organizations grow, how they create opportunities, and how they deliver results. It is time to bring this experience to FIDE.
Chess has enormous untapped potential. We must strengthen communication, modernize our digital infrastructure, attract new sponsors, improve marketing, invest in education, support our federations more effectively, and build a truly global chess ecosystem.
My vision is clear: FIDE should become one of the world’s most respected institutions in international sport.
And my goal is non-negotiable: FIDE needs to empower every one of its member federations.
In the coming weeks, we will present a comprehensive programme with concrete proposals and measurable objectives. We will also introduce a diverse international team of experienced professionals, grandmasters, business leaders, investors, and respected public figures who believe that chess deserves more.
We will work to strengthen every federation, create new opportunities for players of every level, develop exciting new competition formats, increase investment in chess worldwide, and continue pursuing our long-term goal of bringing chess into the Olympic Games.
This election is not about personalities.
It is about the future of chess.
The time has come to think bigger. The time has come to lead better. The time has come for change.
I invite every federation, every player, every organizer, and every chess supporter to join us.
Together, we will build the future of chess.
Buettner followed up four hours later with a press release announcing IM Malcolm Pein, tournament organizer, chess columnist, FIDE critic, and International Director & FIDE Delegate of the English Chess Federation, as his running mate.
“Over the past months, many respected members of the international chess community have encouraged me to stand for the Presidency of FIDE,” Buettner wrote. “After extensive discussions with delegates from every continent, I have decided to accept that responsibility.”
Buettner said his campaign would focus on strengthening national federations, improving transparency and governance, expanding commercial partnerships, growing chess in schools, increasing opportunities for women and emerging chess nations, and accelerating digital innovation.
“Leadership begins by listening,” Buettner said. “Every federation has different challenges and different aspirations. Before presenting final proposals, I want to hear directly from those we are here to serve.”
Pein is also quoted, saying: “Jan brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial experience, international credibility and genuine passion for chess. We share the conviction that FIDE’s greatest responsibility is to serve and strengthen its member federations. I am delighted to join him in this campaign.”
Jan Henric Buettner’s full announcement
“Over the past months, many respected members of the international chess community have encouraged me to stand for the Presidency of FIDE. After extensive discussions with delegates from every continent, I have decided to accept that responsibility.
Chess has never enjoyed greater global visibility or greater potential. The next chapter should focus on empowering our member federations, expanding opportunities for players at every level, strengthening governance and transparency, and creating sustainable long-term growth for our sport.”
Rather than launching a traditional political campaign centered on promises, Buettner announced that the coming weeks will be dedicated to an extensive worldwide consultation with all member federations.
Every federation will be invited to participate in personal discussions about its priorities, challenges and ambitions. The feedback from these meetings will directly shape the campaign’s final manifesto, which will be presented ahead of the FIDE General Assembly.
“Leadership begins by listening. Every federation has different challenges and different aspirations. Before presenting final proposals, I want to hear directly from those we are here to serve. My objective is not simply to win an election. It is to build a programme that genuinely reflects the needs of the global chess community.”
Buettner emphasized that his campaign will focus on partnership, integrity, transparency, measurable outcomes, and service leadership.
Its priorities will include:
- strengthening national federations through practical support
- expanding commercial partnerships and sponsorship opportunities
- growing chess in schools and among young people
- increasing opportunities for women and emerging chess nations
- improving transparency and governance
- accelerating digital innovation
- creating sustainable long-term growth for the global chess ecosystem
Malcolm Pein said: “Jan brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial experience, international credibility and genuine passion for chess. We share the conviction that FIDE’s greatest responsibility is to serve and strengthen its member federations. I am delighted to join him in this campaign.”
The campaign has already begun engaging with federations across all continents and will continue to meet personally with every member federation in the weeks leading up to the General Assembly.
“We approach this election with respect for everyone who has contributed to world chess over many years,” Buettner concluded.
“Our campaign is not about personalities. It is about the future of chess, about serving our federations, and about working together to create new opportunities for players, organisers and federations across every continent. The campaign will be built on a simple principle: FIDE has over 200 national federations as its ultimate beneficial stakeholders. A stronger FIDE must mean stronger national federations”
Rosenstein’s candidacy was no surprise to those following FIDE politics. Since entering top-level chess in 2022 through WR Chess, the Dusseldorf-based German businessman has become one of the chess world’s most visible private organizers and sponsors.
He has backed major events, such as the super tournament WR Chess Masters since 2023, and he was the driving force behind the creation of the FIDE World Rapid Team Championships in 2023, when he won the title for WR Chess in a team featuring GMs Ian Nepomniachtchi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. His support has also extended to the German Bundesliga and Dusseldorfer SK, which won the 2024-2025 title.
Rosenstein has previously run for the position as President of the German Chess Federation, but withdrew his bid. This year he joined the new leadership of the federation as they appointed him as their FIDE delegate.
It is a great honor for me to have been nominated today as Germany’s Delegate within the German Chess Federation and to represent our country at the FIDE elections. 🇩🇪
Together with the new leadership of the German Chess Federation, we will represent Germany with strength,… pic.twitter.com/WRXGq1gB3A
— Wadim Rosenstein (@WadimRosenstein) May 22, 2026
The German has faced scrutiny over his ties to Russia. German chess journalist Conrad Schormann, writing on his site Perlen vom Bodensee, pointed to WR Group’s business ties to Russia and to a photo of him playing chess with GM Sergey Karjakin in Moscow in May 2022, months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and after Karjakin had been banned by FIDE for six months over his public support for the war.
Asked about the meeting, Rosenstein told Schormann: “For me, it was a game against a very strong chess player, nothing more, nothing less. What Karjakin does, what he stands for, and what he posts on social media doesn’t concern me. I’m primarily interested in the sport itself, the action on the board.”
In a recent post on social media, Rosenstein addressed questions about his background. He was born in 1990 in Ukraine, moved to Germany with his family in 2000, and holds only German citizenship, he wrote.
I often hear different stories about myself – about where I come from and who I am. So let me say it clearly, in my own words.
Today, I live an international life. But to understand me, it’s important to start with where everything began.
I was born in 1990 in the Zhytomyr… pic.twitter.com/Wv92dnWJpp
— Wadim Rosenstein (@WadimRosenstein) April 27, 2026
“Ukraine, Germany and Russia all shaped different parts of my life—through family, language, education, culture and personal experience,” Rosenstein wrote. “This dual reality is not a political position. It is part of my personal story.”
He said his father is Ukrainian, his mother Russian, while Germany is where he “was formed as a person.” Rosenstein also wrote about how he learned chess from his grandfather, playing the game at school in Dusseldorf, and that mentors helped him travel to tournaments despite his family not being wealthy.
In recent months, Rosenstein has shared pictures from his extensive travels around the world, where he met with chess officials and expanded WR Chess’ activity. This week, one post included a picture with GM Fabiano Caruana from a private jet.
Congratulations to Dragon Chilling and everyone involved in organising the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship in Hong Kong. ♟️🇭🇰
This event has a special meaning for me because it started as my idea in 2022. I believed there was space in chess for a different kind of… pic.twitter.com/uBAnIzhlqj
— Wadim Rosenstein (@WadimRosenstein) June 21, 2026
While Rosenstein’s candidacy was expected, Buettner’s announcement comes more as a surprise. The businessman made his fortune in the first internet boom after helping build AOL Europe in the mid 1990s. Together with a colleague, he won a $192 million settlement after legal wrangling over the sale of a multi-billion dollar stake in that company.
The German entrepreneur entered the chess world in 2024 when he organized the $200,000 Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T Challenge at his Weissenhaus luxury resort estate on the Baltic Sea, which later became the home of Freestyle Chess.
He quickly became one of the most influential figures in professional chess after he helped secure $12 million in funding for the new Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, hosting five events on three different continents. Together with GM Magnus Carlsen, it generated new interest for the Chess960/Freestyle Chess variant and helped generate interest for chess.
However, his relationship with FIDE has been turbulent since his entry into the chess world. He became an outspoken critic of the current administration following a dispute between Freestyle Chess and the governing body, which sought to claim exclusive rights to organize a Freestyle Chess World Championship. Buettner accused FIDE of “blackmail” and alleged that the federation had demanded $500,000 for the rights to use the title.
The dispute was eventually resolved with a deal in January.
Buettner’s campaign is also noteworthy due to Pein’s place on the ticket. Pein has been a prominent critic of the current FIDE leadership and had previously indicated that he could run for FIDE president if Dvorkovich became subject to EU sanctions. Instead, Pein will now run for deputy president on Buettner’s ticket.
The fact that the announcements both came on June 26 is no coincidence as it marks the opening day of FIDE’s official electoral period.
On May 5, FIDE reminded prospective candidates that campaigning before the official election period was prohibited under its Electoral Rules. The federation defined promotion as “any act or action that may enhance the level of awareness of a particular candidature” and warned candidates against offering money, gifts, hospitality, employment, or other benefits intended to influence member federations.
The reminder sparked debate after Thailand Chess Association President Sahapol Nakvanich publicly disclosed that Dvorkovich had contacted him, after several years without communication, to say he intended to seek reelection.
“The current president informed me that he will run again in [writing],” Nakvanich wrote on Facebook. He added: “We believe national federations should be respected as independent organizations free to make decisions in the best interests of their players and chess communities.”
Nakvanich confirmed to Chess.com that he received the WhatsApp message but declined to comment further or accuse anyone of violating the rules.
That post was made after Dvorkovich had made a number of social media posts, after more than a year of inactivity. In one post he highlighted FIDE’s achievements and described “25 in-person and online conversations” with chess officials in Central America and praised shared priorities involving youth development and future events “under the Olympic umbrella.”
Every continent deserves its turn to host the Chess Olympiad. Today’s FIDE Council decision turns principle into action: Africa in 2032 and the Americas in 2034 will have priority hosting rights. Chess is a truly global game. pic.twitter.com/dmE4oLQ8dp
— Arkady Dvorkovich (@advorkovich) April 2, 2026
Another post focused on the partnership with FIDE’s main sponsor Freedom Holding, and ongoing cooperation with Kazakhstan Chess Federation President Timur Turlov, stating, “I am confident this is only the beginning.”
FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky has also published several posts in recent months where he praised the activities of the organization. In one post, he said FIDE has invested nearly 9.4 million euros into grassroots chess development over the past six years, and linked the transformation directly to Dvorkovich’s election in 2018.
Over the past six years, FIDE has channelled nearly €9.4 million into grassroots chess development. And this figure does not include all the official kids and junior competitions, or senior championships.
FIDE just published an important summary on our website – kindly have a…
— Emilchess (@EmilSutovsky) May 2, 2026
GM Peter Heine Nielsen, who is known as a critic of the current FIDE administration and was part of GM Andrey Baryshpolets’ ticket that challenged Dvorkovich in 2022, called one post by Sutovsky, “blatant campaigning for FIDE President Dvorkovich to be reelected by a paid FIDE employee.”
In another post, Nielsen wrote, “The idea that the FIDE leadership respects their own Electoral rules, is nonsensical.”
IM Georgios Mastrokoukos, a Greek chess organizer, former member of FIDE’s legal team, and longtime critic of the current administration, also accused the FIDE leadership of abusing its position.
“At the same time when Arkady Dvorkovich is calling delegates to announce that he is running again for president, FIDE resources including FIDE’s website and employees are unleashed to campaign for his administration, blatantly violating every electoral rule possible,” Mastrokoukos wrote.
Dvorkovich referred Chess.com to FIDE’s press office when asked to comment on the criticism. However, FIDE did not respond to Chess.com’s questions.
Dvorkovich has led FIDE since 2018, when he defeated IM Georgios Makropoulos 103-78 in the presidential election. He was reelected in 2022, defeating the Baryshpolets-Nielsen ticket with 157 votes against 16.
A former Russian deputy prime minister, Dvorkovich has faced scrutiny for his ties to the Kremlin and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He has not yet announced whether he will run for a third term, but previously told ChessBase India that his decision could depend in part on whether he is sanctioned. According to EU Observer, Dvorkovich is included in a proposal for the EU’s next sanctions package.
Dvorkovich has previously said he would resign if placed on a sanction list.
Throwback to the moment when @BKouatly asked Arkady Dvorkovich whether he would resign if he were placed on an international sanctions list. pic.twitter.com/XQfYZw2PD9
— Maria Gevorgyan (@GevorgyanMaria) June 10, 2026
FIDE delegates voted in 2023 to abolish presidential term limits, clearing the way for Dvorkovich to seek another four-year mandate.
The FIDE presidential election is scheduled to take place during the General Assembly on September 26-27 in Uzbekistan. Each of FIDE’s national federations has one vote, and will elect the next president.