On July 20, a formal reception was held at the Central Chess House named after Mikhail Botvinnik to mark Chess Day in Russia. The event was attended by key figures in the Russian chess community, including Andrey Filatov, president of the Russian Chess Federation (FShR), who highlighted the growth of chess in the country, noting participation of over 600,000 players nationwide.

Filatov emphasized recent achievements by Russian players across various categories, including the women's world championship, the under-16 youth Olympiad, and the world championship for players with disabilities. He also noted the country's success in team competitions where Russian teams were permitted to participate, expressing hope for future access to all international events.

The reception featured a celebration of Anatoly Karpov’s recent birthday. The former multiple-time world chess champion was honored for his significant contributions to the sport both in Russia and globally. A birthday cake was presented, and Karpov humorously acknowledged the help of two prominent Natalias—including his wife and Russian Federation senator Natalia Komarova—in making a wish. Karpov also donated a unique document to the Russian Chess Museum: a copy of the personal case of the first Soviet world champion Mikhail Botvinnik.

That day, Kirill Ilyumzhinov, the seventh president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) who held the position from 1995 to 2018, announced his intention to seek re-election. Speaking at the event, he expressed ongoing engagement with the global chess community and outlined plans to increase FIDE’s budget, negotiate Magnus Carlsen’s return to the World Chess Championship cycle, and implement a two-term limit for the presidency. Ilyumzhinov, 64, stated he would seek only one term if re-elected.

Several awards were presented during the celebration. The Russian Chess Federation honored Elvira Umanskaya, creator of the “Kaissa” Center for intellectual culture and sports; grandmaster Pavel Maletin, president of the Novosibirsk Chess Federation; and notable chess composer Oleg Pervakov. Natalia Komarova received a letter of gratitude from the federation. Stanislav Koneko, chief editor of the Russian Book of Records, also congratulated players and handed certificates to international master Roman Shogdzhiev (received by his father), twin grandmasters Andrey and Sergey Drygalov, and the Russian under-16 team composed solely of grandmasters.

In parallel with the Chess Day event in Moscow, preparations continue for the upcoming FIDE presidential election scheduled for late September at the General Assembly in Samarkand. Candidates already confirmed include Andrey Dvorkovich, Kirill Ilyumzhinov, Jan-Henrik Böttner, and Vadim Rosenstein.

Dvorkovich, the former Russian deputy prime minister, is widely regarded as a leading contender. In the previous election held in Chennai four years ago, he won 157 out of 179 delegate votes. His main competitor then was lesser-known Ukrainian grandmaster Andrey Barishpolets, who, along with Peter Heine Nielsen—Magnus Carlsen’s former coach—allegedly sought to block Dvorkovich’s participation by pushing for sanctions against him. Those efforts did not succeed.

This year’s election may face complications due to Dvorkovich’s inclusion in a draft of the European Union’s 21st sanctions package proposed in June 2026. The sanctions entail asset freezes and a ban on entry into EU countries. However, the package has not been finalized as of late July 2026. Should the sanctions take effect before the election, Dvorkovich might be forced to withdraw. In that scenario, Timur Turlov, head of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and current FIDE first vice president, could emerge as the main candidate from their faction. Since 2022, this post has been held by former world champion Viswanathan Anand, who plans not to seek re-election but may remain involved in the team.

If Dvorkovich withdraws, Ilyumzhinov’s chances may improve owing to his established reputation and extensive network in international chess. During his previous tenure, he successfully defeated prominent opponents such as Karpov and Garry Kasparov in FIDE elections.

The two other candidates, German businessmen Böttner and Rosenstein, are relatively recent entrants to the chess arena. Rosenstein, 34, has organized rapid and blitz team world championships under his company’s brand and proposed relocating the 2026 Candidates Tournament to Germany. Despite his business ties to Russia, which may impede support from Western nations and parts of Asia, he remains a declared candidate.

Böttner became widely known after a conflict with FIDE in early 2024. He recently initiated the Freestyle Chess series, a $12 million global tour designed to elevate the profile of the sport and reportedly enjoys backing from Magnus Carlsen. The series features innovations including the staging of a Fischer Random (Chess960) mini-match between Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. While FIDE initially threatened sanctions against participants, the parties reached a compromise and eventually partnered on a Fischer Random World Championship event in February 2026.

Böttner announced his candidacy in July 2026, supported by various international delegates, although some executives in his team, including Malcolm Payne, advocate stricter sanctions against Russian players. While Carlsen’s potential endorsement could bolster Böttner’s profile, his limited chess administrative experience and controversial reputation may hinder his electoral prospects.

With the election just months away, the contest appears poised to shape the future direction of international chess governance amid ongoing geopolitical and organizational challenges.