Jan Henric Buettner to run for FIDE President

FIDE elections are scheduled to take place 26-27 September 2026 in Samarkland, Uzbekistan during the General Assembly.

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