The President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Arkady Dvorkovich, spoke about the shift of the Russian Chess Federation from European to Asian leadership, a change that took hold in 2023. In a conversation with socialbites.ca, he explained that this move has intensified competition within Asian chess and reshaped the dynamics of the global chess scene.
The transition signals a significant realignment. Dvorkovich noted that Russian chess has long been among the strongest in the world, and moving to Asia adds depth to the region’s strength on the international stage. This shift, he said, has spurred greater activity from Asian federations and organizers, with more nations applying to host major events. Countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, China, and India have shown growing interest. Competition to stage international tournaments has intensified, and European applications remain solid but are no longer the sole driver of growth. The Russian presence remains influential, described by the FIDE chief as a key factor in accelerating Asia’s prominence in world chess.
For individual players from Russia, the relocation presents expanded possibilities to participate in a broader schedule of events. Yet in terms of the World Championship framework, Dvorkovich suggested that the core structure may endure. He observed that Russians have historically represented about 15–20 percent of all participants in major events, a share that has persisted despite global upheavals. According to his assessment, the competitive balance within world chess remains stable even amid unsettled times.
(Source: FIDE)
Earlier, in spring 2022, FIDE allowed Russians and Belarusians to compete in eligible events only under a neutral flag. Within that context, the Russian Chess Federation evaluated its options and decided to shift its regional alignment toward Asia. The General Assembly of the Asian Chess Federation approved the admission of the Russian federation on February 28, and the formal inclusion took effect on May 1.
In reflecting on this evolution, Dvorkovich also touched on the broader practice of sports citizenship. He indicated that changing a federation’s alignment is a normal practice in the world of international competition, a view that many observers consider practical and timely given the evolving landscape of global chess.