Arkady Dvorkovich, whom the European Union included in its 21st sanctions package on July 23, said he is suspending his duties as president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The announcement was posted on the organization's website.
Dvorkovich called the EU decision “illegal and unjust” and promised to appeal it. However, he said the sanctions “could interfere with the stable functioning of FIDE,” so he decided to step aside for as long as he remains on the restrictions list.
FIDE’s first vice president, India’s Viswanathan Anand, a 15-time world chess champion, has taken over Dvorkovich’s duties. According to a statement from the FIDE Council, Dvorkovich will no longer act as “the owner, holder or controlling person” of the federation or its assets.
The EU explained its decision to sanction Dvorkovich by saying he had “publicly supported” Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine and was linked to the Chess Federation of Russia, which the EU said legitimized the seizure of Ukrainian territories by holding tournaments there. Critics of Dvorkovich had pointed out that he did not break with the Kremlin.
The EU’s 21st sanctions package, which took effect on July 23, is the largest by number of individuals listed since the start of the full-scale war. Besides Dvorkovich, those hit by the restrictions include Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev, and Russian Railways head Oleg Belozyorov. In total, the list includes 48 individuals and 170 legal entities; those listed have their assets in the EU frozen and are banned from entering the bloc.
After the war began, FIDE imposed restrictions on Russian chess players: they may compete only in a neutral capacity — under the federation’s flag, without state symbols. In November 2025, the Russian women’s team was allowed to compete at the World Team Championship under the FIDE flag, and in December of the same year the federation supported the return of Russian teams to tournaments while maintaining the restrictions on symbols. Restrictions on Belarus were lifted.
FIDE leadership elections are scheduled for September. Dvorkovich had previously stated his intention to run, but it is now unclear whether he will put forward his candidacy.