Russian ex-official Arkady Dvorkovich has been elected president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) during the FIDE General Assembly in Georgia’s Batumi on Wednesday, TASS reports.

With 103 votes Dvorkovich beat his only competitor Georgios Markropoulos, FIDE Vice President, who received 78 votes.

Another contender for the post, grandmaster Nigel Short, of Britain, withdrew his candidacy minutes shy of the voting procedure. </s> Former Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) president Kezzie Msukwa is set to be voted as general secretary for African Chess Confederation (ACC) at the polls to take place on Thursday October 4 during the elective Congress of world chess governing body, FIDE being held on the sidelines of the 43rd World Chess Olympiad taking place in the Eastern European city of Batumi in Georgia.

Msukwa, who was Chessam president for 14 years until August this year when Susan Namangale took over, is also in Batumi in his capacity as a FIDE electoral commissioner for this year’s elections.

He is also the president for Southern African regional chess body, the Zone 4.3, managing 14 chess federations.

Namangale, who is leading the Malawi squad in Batumi, said ACC met on Tuesday, October 2 to strategize ahead of the FIDE elective general assembly on Wednesday where they are expected to elect president.

Then on Thursday the ACC will hold their elections in which Msukwa is standing as general secretary.

Namangale said Tuesday’s meeting discussed ACC performance for the last two years discussed by all member federations and moving forward for African chess irrespective of who wins the elections.

“The members agreed that African chess members should work together for the common good of chess development on the continent,” she said.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the ACC intends to support Russian Arkady Dvorkovich as opposed to the current FIDE vice-president since 1982, Georgios Makropoulos from Greece.

There are three candidates, Dvorkovich, Makropoulos and Grandmaster Nigel Short, who visited Malawi some years back and among others activities played exibition simultaneous matches against top local players.

Dvorkovich was the chairman for the organising committee for the FIFA World Cup in Russia while Makropoulos has been president for Greek chess federation since 1982.

According to reports, Dvorkovich is pledging chess development for Africa and his vision is ‘new people, new horizon, new ideas’.

In his published manifesto, Dvorkovich says he is running for FIDE president with a clear objective of taking it to the highest standards of professionalism, effeciency and transparency and FIDE should become a globally visible and respected organisation promoting chess all around the world, contributing to the sustainable development of the socities.

Zhu Chen, the female Grandmaster who visited Malawi some time back and also played simultaneous games with Malawian players, is contesting for post of treasurer.

If elected for the GS post, Msukwa will join Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu as the country’s pride in international sports administration after Nyamilandu was elected as FIFA Council African Anglophone member during an elective congress held on Sunday in Egypt. </s> Chennai, Oct 3 (IANS) Arkady Dvorkovich, former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, was on Wednesday crowned as the new King of FIDE, the world body governing chess.

At the 89th FIDE Congress held at Batumi in Georgia, 46-year-old Dvorkovich was elected as the new President with clear majority over his rival and incumbent Deputy President Georgis Makropoulos.

"Dvorkovich got 103 votes while Makropoulos polled 78 votes," Bharat Singh Chauhan, General Secretary, All India Chess Federation (AICF) told IANS over phone from Georgia.

The election was not without some unexpected events.

British Grand Master Nigel Short, the other contender who had said that the FIDE Presidential poll is a three-horse race, announced his withdrawal from the contest in favour of Dvorkovich during his speech.

With Dvorkovich's win, the long tenure of Makropoulos at FIDE comes to an end.

India's D.V.Sundar, Vice President, FIDE and AICF was part of Makropoulos team for the post of General Secretary.

"While it is sad that Sundar's team lost out, the AICF will continue to work with FIDE for the growth and betterment of chess," Chauhan said.

He said Short's last minute withdrawal was not a surprise.

Early last month, Short had tweeted after meeting Dvorkovich: "United in our belief that FIDE should support federations, and not federations support FIDE. United in our determination to bring transparency and the rule of law, and to root out cronyism and corruption."

Queried about whether the tweet indicates a pact between the two, Short had told IANS: "We have common goal. In particular, we are determined to root out Georgios Makropoulos team from FIDE. We are united for the greater good of chess. I believe Makropoulos team will be thrown out."

Dvorkovich, when queried about the electoral understanding with Short, told IANS earlier: "Nigel is a great chess professional who shall play an important role in the promotion of chess in the future." </s> MOSCOW (AP) — The World Chess Federation says it has elected a former Russian government official as its new president. FIDE said that Arkady Dvorkovich was elected to the job Wednesday at its general assembly…

MOSCOW (AP) — The World Chess Federation says it has elected a former Russian government official as its new president.

FIDE said that Arkady Dvorkovich was elected to the job Wednesday at its general assembly in Georgia.

The 46-year-old Dvorkovich served more than six years as Russia’s deputy prime minister overseeing energy industries. An avid chess player himself, Dvorkovich promised to “take FIDE up to the highest standards of professionalism, efficiency and transparency.”

He promised in his program that FIDE’s development fund will receive 3 million euros (about $3.5 million) as soon as the first year and will reach 12 million euros (nearly $14 million) over four years, while FIDE taxes and fees will decrease considerably.

Dvorkovich also pledged to promote chess across the world and make the World Championship cycle more visible.

Copyright © 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed. </s> FILE - In this Wednesday, April 25, 2018 file photo, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich attends a news conference on environmental and economic impact of the WC2018 in Moscow, Russia. The World Chess Federation says it has elected a former Russian government official as its new president. FIDE says that Arkady Dvorkovich has been elected to the job at its General Assembly in Batumi, Georgia. He is an avid chess player himself and he has promised to “take FIDE up to the highest standards of professionalism, efficiency and transparency.” (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, April 25, 2018 file photo, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich attends a news conference on environmental and economic impact of the WC2018 in Moscow, Russia. The World Chess Federation says it has elected a former Russian government official as its new president. FIDE says that Arkady Dvorkovich has been elected to the job at its General Assembly in Batumi, Georgia. He is an avid chess player himself and he has promised to “take FIDE up to the highest standards of professionalism, efficiency and transparency.” (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File)

MOSCOW (AP) — The World Chess Federation says it has elected a former Russian government official as its new president.

FIDE said that Arkady Dvorkovich was elected to the job Wednesday at its general assembly in Georgia.

The 46-year-old Dvorkovich served more than six years as Russia’s deputy prime minister overseeing energy industries. An avid chess player himself, Dvorkovich promised to “take FIDE up to the highest standards of professionalism, efficiency and transparency.”

He promised in his program that FIDE’s development fund will receive 3 million euros (about $3.5 million) as soon as the first year and will reach 12 million euros (nearly $14 million) over four years, while FIDE taxes and fees will decrease considerably.

Dvorkovich also pledged to promote chess across the world and make the World Championship cycle more visible. </s> The World Chess Federation says it has elected a former Russian government official as its new president.

FIDE said that Arkady Dvorkovich was elected to the job Wednesday at its general assembly in Georgia.

The 46-year-old Dvorkovich served more than six years as Russia's deputy prime minister overseeing energy industries. An avid chess player himself, Dvorkovich promised to "take FIDE up to the highest standards of professionalism, efficiency and transparency."

He promised in his program that FIDE's development fund will receive 3 million euros (about $3.5 million) as soon as the first year and will reach 12 million euros (nearly $14 million) over four years, while FIDE taxes and fees will decrease considerably.

Dvorkovich also pledged to promote chess across the world and make the World Championship cycle more visible. </s> Batumi (Georgia), Oct 4 (PTI) Former Russian deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich won the FIDE elections defeating Georgios Makropoulos of Greece 103-78 in what was one of the most keenly fought FIDE election in almost 23 years.

The Chess world welcomed the decision of the general assembly that elected a new president after a gap of 23 years.

It may be recalled that the incumbent, Kirsan Illuyzhinov was dethroned after a long reign mainly because of the sanctions by the US on his alleged links to Syria.

Technically, it was a three horse-race that was reduced to two as Grandmaster Nigel Short of England pulled out at the last minute endorsing Dvorkovich.

Following Short's withdrawal, it was clear that Dvorkovich had the upper hand thanks to a wisely planned and well-executed campaign in the last couple of months.

It was primarily that lack of corporate sponsorship in the game that resulted in FIDE seeking a revenue model where payments were sought from the member Federations, arbiters, coaches and the players themselves.

In short, instead of supporting the member federations, FIDE was dependent on them for various payments.

This was the ace Dvorkovich and Short had up their sleeves. "We will cut immediately, or waive, fees paid to FIDE FIDE should help federations, not the other way around," Dvorkovich had said in his closing speech.

The Russian pledged an annual budget of three million Euros for the developing countries and overall five million Euros for each of his four years as the FIDE president.

That will be a total of 20 million Euros coming to FIDE which could potential revamp the chess scenario.

Earlier Nigel Short, a critic of the FIDE regime for many years and a former world championship candidate, announced his reason to withdraw at the last minute.

"Arkady and I share many common goals. We are determined to bring reform and change to this organisation. While I know more about the chess world than he does, he undoubtedly, as the organiser of the hugely successful FIFA World Cup, knows more about sponsorship and administration than I do," Short said.

Dvorkovich, as the chairman of organizing committee of the recently-concluded FIFA world cup, had drawn praise for his accomplishment.

If their recent friendship was anything to go by, it was clear that Short and Dvorkovich were together in the campaign to oust Makropoulos who has been in FIDE for almost 30 years.

Most of those years, the Greek had worked as the number two in the organization that failed to generate any corporate support or any major sponsorship.

Earlier this morning, a tweet from Nigel Short confirmed that he will be one of the key members in team Dvorkovich as the Englishman was appointed the Vice President.

While change was a certainty after the ouster of Illumzhinov, Dvorkovich comes out as the preferred choice with a promise. "FIDE is now my permanent job, I will be accountable," he said in the victory speech.

From the Indian perspective, All India Chess Federation Secretary, Bharat Singh Chauhan remained the deputy President of the Asian continent and the President of the Commonwealth Chess Association. There were no elections for either of the chairs and he was elected uncontested.

In a late development, D V Sundar, Vice President in the FIDE who actually contested on Makropoulos ticket was also nominated as a Vice President as confirmed by AICF secretary.

This comes as a pleasant surprise to the Indian chess buffs as Sundar was contesting from Makropoulos ticket as the General Secretary. This also confirms that no matter what, Indian space in FIDE is confirmed </s> Chennai, Oct 2 (IANS) On Wednesday, 185 nations (some through their proxies) would decide the new King and his team to govern the world chess body FIDE at the presidential elections to be held at Georgia.

Before the electoral college that includes proxies for some national chess federations are the three contenders - former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE's Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos and British chess Grand Master Nigel Short and their respective teams.

The Indian interest in the elections is D.V.Sundar, Vice President, All India Chess Federation (AICF), who is part of Makropoulos team and in the fray of the General Secretary post.

Sundar also holds the proxy vote for Bhutan.

Dvorkovich and Short told IANS that they are promising the National Chess Federations that they would bring in transparency in FIDE operations, attract big corporate sponsors.

They also said the FIDE under their regime would financially support the National Chess Federations and not the other way around as it is now.

On his part Makropoulos states FIDE must be politically independent from any country.

The FIDE Ethics Commission recently barred Serbia from voting for electoral irregularities while holding Dvorkovich not guilty in a complaint lodged by Makropoulos, his Russian rival.

Short had told IANS that the winning team that would run the show at FIDE will be decided after the second vote and not after the first round of voting.

Short further said: "Between us -- Short and Dvorkovich -- we have the numbers. As per the estimates, no one would get 51 per cent votes in the first round. In the first round of voting the votes will be split. So, there will be second vote."

He said as per FIDE rules, if there are three or more contestants in the fray, then the person who polls 50 per cent plus one of the votes cast is elected on the first ballot. Thereafter, the candidates receiving most votes on the second ballot are elected to the vacant number of offices.

Interestingly Dvorkovich and Short seem to have a secret pact of cooperation about which both maintain a strict silence.

Short early last month had tweeted: "United in our belief that FIDE should support federations, and not federations support FIDE. United in our determination to bring transparency and the rule of law, and to root out cronyism and corruption."

Queried about whether the tweet indicates a pact between the two, Short told IANS over phone from Greece: "We have common goal. In particular, we are determined to root out Georgios Makropoulos team from FIDE. We are united for the greater good of chess. I believe Makropoulos team will be thrown out."

At a time when chess teams from different nations are fighting it out at Georgia for the chess Olympiad medal, it will be interesting to see whether the Dvorkovich-Short team would succeed in its mission. </s> Msukwa, the president for Southern African regional chess body, the Zone 4.3 – managing 14 chess federations – was Chessam president for 14 years until August this year when Susan Namangale took over and was also in Batumi in his capacity as a FIDE electoral commissioner when the delegates elected former Russian deputy prime minister Arkady

Msukwa won on the ticket of Zambian Lewis Ncube, who by virtue of retaining his post as ACC president means Msukwa also wins the post he contested for as general secretary, as explained online by Namangale.

floored West African financial magnet, Essoh Essis of Cote d’Ivoire by 23 votes to 21. Ncube once served as FIDE deputy president.

Georgios Makropoulos from Greece by an overwhelming 103 votes against 78. Makropoulos, who had been FIDE vice-president since 1982, had been acting as FIDE president after Kirsan Ilyumzinov was kicked out by a presidential board, accusing him of being unethical in his dealings.
In chess, Arkady Dvorkovich is elected as president of the FIDE.