Fide President Dvorkovich Suspends Powers After EU Sanctions, Stops Short of Resigning

EU sanctions on 23 July 2026 prompted Fide president Arkady Dvorkovich to announce he would "voluntarily suspend the exercise of my powers and duties." He told the BBC he has not resigned. Dvorkovich, who intended to run for re-election in September, called the sanctions "unlawful and unfair," leaving Fide with a leadership vacuum and an uncertain electoral path.