ARKADY DVORKOVICH was re-elected for a second term as president of the International Chess Federation (Fide) on Sunday, beating his challenger, the Ukrainian grandmaster Andrii Baryshpolets, by 157 votes to 16.

A third candidate,  Bachar Kouatly of France, withdrew after giving his speech.

Five-time world chess champion Vishy Anand, who was part of Dvorkovich’s ticket, becomes the federation’s new deputy president.

The elections took place during Fide’s general assembly in Chennai, India, held alongside the Chess Olympiad, the sport’s biggest team competition and one of Fide’s flagship events. 

Countries are represented by their four best players at the biennial tournament. This year, despite the notable absences of Russia and Belarus (banned), and China (logistic difficulties due to the coronavirus), the Olympiad has reached record participation, with 186 nations represented in the open competition and 160 in the Women’s Olympiad.

Despite being questioned by some due to his nationality and to the fact that in the past, he held important positions in the Russian government, Dvorkovich’s landslide win shows that he has earned the trust of Fide’s member federations.

“Yes, I am Russian, and I have served the people of my country, including its chess community, as chairman of the board of the Russian Chess Federation,” he said. “I have been trying to do it professionally and with the highest possible level of integrity. 

“And I took a strong position on the tragic events in Ukraine as well as supported Fide council decisions regarding scaling down Russia's involvement in Fide. Moreover, while abandoning Russian partners, we have been able to find new ones around the globe, organise this Chess Olympiad [in India] and ensure financial stability for Fide. 

“It is far from easy for me personally, but I hope that chess can reunite people again.”

Among his priorities for a second — and final — term, Dvorkovich  expressed his intention for Fide to “provide chess materials and help to raise a new generation of arbiters, organisers, and coaches, as well as school instructors” and to keep investing in promoting women’s chess. The sport has long been notorious for its poor treatment of women, with female players encountering sexism at all levels.