Election report: the result is based on published post-vote reporting. Details of Rosenstein’s endorsements and programme come from his campaign’s September 25 statement.
Timur Turlov has been elected FIDE president after defeating Wadim Rosenstein 110–85 at the General Assembly in Samarkand.
The result ended a campaign in which Rosenstein and running mate Gordon Tang argued that the international federation should deliver clearer, measurable value to every member federation. Their late campaign statement claimed growing backing across Europe and Africa, but that coalition did not produce a majority in the ballot.
A substantial challenge that fell short
Rosenstein’s campaign named European Chess Union President Zurab Azmaiparashvili, French Chess Federation President Eloi Relange and former FIDE Vice President Lewis Ncube among its public supporters. It also cited support from the Montenegro and Mozambique federations, while former FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov announced his backing in Samarkand.
The 85 votes nevertheless represent a significant bloc inside FIDE. They suggest that the campaign’s themes—federation services, commercial execution and a stronger connection between central revenues and national development—found support even though the ticket lost.
The federation-first argument
“Every federation, large or small, should be able to point to what FIDE does for them. Today, too many can’t,” Rosenstein said before the vote.
Rosenstein drew on his background in German youth chess, international business and WR Chess, through which he has funded and organised elite events. Tang brought experience from his role as Executive Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia.
Turlov now inherits both the authority of victory and the task of addressing the concerns expressed by the 85 delegates who backed the opposing ticket. The practical test will be whether FIDE’s next term gives member federations clearer support, transparent measures and a meaningful role in setting priorities.