Overview
- The European Union added FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich to its 21st sanctions list on Thursday and he then voluntarily suspended the exercise of his presidential powers.
- Under article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter the FIDE Council ratified the suspension and named deputy president Viswanathan Anand as interim president to run day-to-day affairs.
- FIDE announced that while the sanctions stand Dvorkovich may not act as controller of FIDE or its assets and EU and Swiss rules could impose asset freezes, travel bans and transaction limits.
- The sanctions have already reshaped the run-up to FIDE’s September election in Samarkand as candidates realign, with Timur Turlov declaring a presidential bid and Anand reconsidering his electoral plans.
- Dvorkovich says he will challenge the EU decision in court in EU and Swiss jurisdictions and the case will determine whether he can resume control of FIDE before the General Assembly.