Timur Turlov visited Cyprus this week to discuss the island nation's chess growth with President Nikos Christodoulides. The FIDE president met at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on October 19, accompanied by Freedom24 CEO Evgenii Tiapkin.
Cyprus has become one of Europe's emerging chess hubs over the past few years. The country balances major international tournaments with domestic competitions, youth programs, and training facilities. The Cyprus Chess Federation credits this rise to cooperation between the government and private sponsors.
Turlov and Christodoulides discussed how Cyprus could serve as a model for FIDE's efforts to build chess infrastructure globally. The meeting suggests FIDE sees real value in studying Cyprus's approach. The country has moved from relative obscurity to hosting serious chess events and developing local talent in just a few years.
This type of government-chess federation partnership remains rare worldwide. Most chess nations rely heavily on oligarch funding or amateur organization. Cyprus shows that political support and business investment can work together to create sustainable growth. It's worth watching whether FIDE uses Cyprus's playbook to encourage other countries to invest in chess development.