Arkady Dvorkovich: Building the next chapter of FIDE

Dear Friends,

Serving FIDE has been a great honour. Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to visit many federations and witness first-hand the remarkable work and dedication at national level to develop chess in every part of the world.

These experiences have shown me again and again that FIDE’s real strength lies in its member federations. It is with this conviction that I write to you today.

After careful consideration, and encouraged by many conversations with federations across the world, I have decided to seek re-election as President of FIDE.

I believe the progress we have made together gives us a unique opportunity to take the next step in FIDE’s development, and I am committed to helping realise that ambition.

Working together with federations, teams and partners, we have strengthened FIDE financially, expanded our global calendar of events, and invested more in children’s chess, women’s competitions, senior chess, education and social programmes. Together, we have built a stronger organisation, better equipped to serve its members. This progress is not an end point; it is a foundation for an even brighter future.

At the same time, I know there is more we can do. We have listened, we have learnt and we must continue to improve. In the next four years, FIDE should become more responsive to federations and be even more focused on practical support. With new partners and renewed energy, I believe we can increase the support available to our member federations.

Chess is entering one of the most exciting periods in its history. Participation is growing rapidly, new audiences are discovering our game, and opportunities for development continue to expand. But there are also significant changes: technology is transforming the way chess is played, learnt, followed and organised; young players today have different expectations; the changing social and economic landscape means that federations face more specific challenges which require more targeted and structured support.

This is a moment that calls not only for ambition, but for stability, cooperation and experienced leadership.

This is why I have set out the following priorities for the next four years of FIDE:

• Support every federation through practical programmes, stronger partnerships and more responsive services, ensuring they can grow chess locally and have the tools to succeed.
  
• Create more opportunities for everyone to play, learn and thrive in chess by investing in young people, women, education and grassroots development, while strengthening the pathway from online chess to organised competition.
• Prepare chess for the future by modernising FIDE, embracing new technologies, expanding the global reach of our major events and ensuring that our sport remains accessible, innovative and relevant for generations to come.

Over the coming weeks and months, I hope to speak with as many federations as possible to hear your priorities, understand your challenges and discuss the opportunities that lie ahead.

I would be honoured to earn your trust for another term, so that together we can build on what has been achieved and create more opportunities for every federation, every player and every chess community.

If you have ideas on how FIDE can better serve federations and the global chess community, please get in touch — we would be glad to hear from you!

With my warmest regards,

Arkady Dvorkovich