Viswanathan Anand Becomes Interim President Of FIDE 

 Viswanathan Anand Becomes Interim President Of FIDE 

General Studies Paper I: Sports, National and International Personalities

Why in News?

Recently, Viswanathan Anand became International Chess Federation (FIDE) Interim President after Arkady Dvorkovich suspended duties following EU sanctions.

Who is Viswanathan Anand?

• Intro: Viswanathan Anand is India’s greatest chess player and one of the world’s finest grandmasters.
  • He is a five-time World Chess Champion and transformed India into a global chess powerhouse.
• Early Life: Born on 11 December 1969 at Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, Anand was raised in Chennai.
  • His father K. Viswanathan worked with Southern Railways, while his mother Sushila Anand, introduced him to the game at six years of age. 
  • During his family’s stay in Manila, Philippines, he developed exceptional chess skills and earned the nickname “Lightning Kid” for his rapid playing style. 
• Education: Anand completed schooling at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai.
  • He later earned a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) degree from Loyola College, Chennai.
• Career and Achievements: 
  • In 1983, he won India’s National Sub-Junior Championship with a perfect 9/9 score. 
  • He became Asian Junior Champion in 1984 and 1985, India’s youngest International Master in 1985, National Champion in 1986, World Junior Champion in 1987, and India’s first Grandmaster in 1988.
  • Anand emerged among the world’s elite during the 1990s, challenging legends including Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. 
  • In 2000, he defeated Alexei Shirov to win the FIDE World Chess Championship, becoming India’s first world chess champion.
  • In 2007, Anand became the Undisputed World Chess Champion and successfully defended the title against Vladimir Kramnik (2008), Veselin Topalov (2010) and Boris Gelfand (2012). 
  • He remained world champion until 2013, when Magnus Carlsen won the title.
  • Anand is a five-time World Chess Champion, two-time World Rapid Champion (2003 and 2017), World Blitz Champion (2000 and 2017), former World No. 1, and crossed the historic 2800 Elo rating in 2006. 
  • His peak FIDE rating reached 2817 in March 2011, placing him among the greatest players in chess history.
• Honours: He became the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (1991–92).
  • His civilian honours include Padma Shri (1987), Padma Bhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2007), becoming the first sportsperson to receive India’s second-highest civilian award.
• Administrative Leadership: In August 2022, Anand was elected Deputy President of FIDE, expanding his contribution to global sports governance and institutional reforms.
  • On 24 July 2026, Anand assumed charge as Interim President of FIDE after President Arkady Dvorkovich voluntarily suspended his duties following European Union sanctions, as mandated under the FIDE Charter.
  • Anand accepted the responsibility to ensure administrative continuity until the issue is resolved or fresh leadership assumes office. 
• Significance: Anand’s elevation marks a historic milestone as an Indian leads the world’s apex chess body.
  • It strengthens India’s global sporting influence, and complements the country’s emergence as a chess superpower.

What is FIDE and Its Organizational Structure?

• About: FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) is the world governing body of chess.
  • It was founded on 20 July 1924 in Paris, France. 
  • It regulates international chess and promotes the game globally under the motto “Gens Una Sumus” (We Are One People). 
  • It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a Global Sporting Organization.
  • It is registered as a non-profit association under the Swiss Civil Code. 
  • The official headquarters of the organization are located in Lausanne, Switzerland.
  • It standardises the Laws of Chess, organises world championships, and maintains international player ratings, awards official titles. 
• Membership: FIDE consists of around 200 national chess federations, making it one of the world’s largest international sports organisations.
  • It links separate National Chess Federations to uniformly implement competitive rule frameworks globally.
• Structure: The General Assembly is the highest authority of FIDE.
  • The General Assembly approves the FIDE Charter, elects the President and Deputy President, approves the budget, admits new member federations, and can pass a vote of no confidence against elected officials. 
  • The FIDE Council is the strategic and oversight body of FIDE. It performs executive and legislative functions, frames regulations, supervises governance, and implements policies. 
  • The Management Board manages the daily administration of FIDE. It coordinates officials, commissions, employees, finances, and operational activities. 
  • It consists of independent commissions such as the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission and Constitutional Commission. 
• Role of FIDE President: The President is the chief executive and official representative of FIDE. A strict limit prevents anyone from serving more than two 4-year terms.
  • The President represents FIDE internationally, manages daily affairs, and strengthens relations with member federations.
  • The President chairs meetings of the General Assembly, Council, and Management Board. 
  • The President appoints officials, and exercises a casting vote in case of a tie in the Council or Management Board. 
  • The President submits the annual report, ensures implementation of FIDE decisions, and protects institutional integrity.

India’s Growing Influence in Global Chess Governance

• Chess originated in ancient India as Chaturanga around the 6th century CE. From India, the game spread to Persia, West Asia, and later Europe, giving India a unique civilisational connection with global chess. 
• India has emerged as one of the strongest chess nations across all age categories. The rise of Viswanathan Anand changed Indian chess forever. 
• India has witnessed a rapid rise in Grandmasters, reflecting its strong talent pipeline. Young stars such as D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, R. Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, and many emerging players. 

• Gukesh Dommaraju: Won the FIDE World Chess Championship in December 2024 by defeating Ding Liren in Singapore, becoming the youngest undisputed world champion in history at age 18. 
• Koneru Humpy: Won the World Junior Girls Chess Championship in 2001. She is a two-time Women’s World Rapid Champion, becoming the first Indian to win this title twice.
• Harika Dronavalli: Won multiple World Youth titles across different age categories (such as World Girls Under-14, Under-18). 
• Divya Deshmukh: She won the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this feat.
• R. Praggnanandhaa: He became one of India’s youngest world junior champions and won the World Youth Chess Championship (under-18) in 2019. He also won the Asian Continental Chess Championship (open) in 2021.
• Pranav Venkatesh: Claimed the Open section title at the World Junior Chess Championship in March 2025 in Montenegro. 

• The All India Chess Federation (AICF), founded in 1951 is registered as a society under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1958.
  • It is headquartered in New Delhi, with a significant administrative presence in Chennai.
  • It is affiliated internationally with the  FIDE and regionally with the Asian Chess Federation.
  • Nitin Narang serves as the President of the federation.
  • The AICF operates as a recognized National Sports Federation (NSF) under the legally binding National Sports Development Code of India.
  • It is designated as a “Public Authority” under Section 2(h) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. 
  • Its administrative decisions fall under the judicial writ jurisdiction of High Courts (Article 226) and the Supreme Court (Article 32).
• India successfully hosted the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad (2022) in Chennai, demonstrating world-class organisational capacity.
  • The prestigious tournament has been organized since 1927. It marked its historic debut in India, as well as its return to the Asian continent after 30 years (the last Asian host being Manila, Philippines, in 1922).
  • The government launched a mascot named “Thambi” (little/younger brother in Tamil), depicting a knight wearing traditional Tamil attire (veshti).
  • The competition recorded participation from 187 countries and territories.
• Governments have promoted chess through Khelo India, school-level competitions, sports infrastructure like establishment of the West Bridge Anand Chess Academy, and support from Tamil Nadu, which has become India’s leading chess hub.
  • Online platforms, digital coaching, and organisations like ChessBase India have made high-quality training widely accessible. 

FAQs: 

1. Why has Viswanathan Anand become the FIDE Interim President?
He succeeded after Arkady Dvorkovich suspended duties following EU sanctions, as per the FIDE Charter.

2. What is FIDE and what does it do?
FIDE governs world chess, organises championships, maintains ratings, frames rules, and awards international titles.

3. How long will Viswanathan Anand serve as Interim President?
He will serve until Arkady Dvorkovich resumes duties or a new President assumes office.

4. Who held the FIDE President’s position before Anand?
Arkady Dvorkovich, elected FIDE President in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, held the position.

5. What are Viswanathan Anand’s achievements in world chess?
Five-time World Champion, India’s first Grandmaster, former World No. 1, and FIDE Deputy President.

Disclaimer: Information in this article is based on official announcements and public records. Regulations and implementation details may evolve over time.

Also Read: D. Gukesh Became Youngest-ever World Chess Champion