Two major elections have reshaped the leadership landscape of world and African chess in 2026. Timur Turlov’s election as President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Benard Wanjala’s emergence as President of the Africa Chess Confederation (ACC) present an important opportunity to examine the future of chess governance and development across Africa.
For African chess, the question is not simply who won the elections. It is what the new leadership will deliver for national federations, players, organisers, coaches and the wider chess community.
Two Elections, One Continent to Serve
At the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 26 September, Timur Turlov secured the presidency with a hundred and ten (110) votes in the second round, after receiving the backing of Presidential Candidate Jan Henric Buettner in the aftermath of the first round, going on to defeat Wadim Rosenstein, who received eighty-five (85) votes. Indian Grandmaster and former World Champion Viswanathan Anand was elected Deputy President.
The result ushered in a new FIDE leadership following Arkady Dvorkovich’s two terms in office, from 2018 to 2026.
Two months earlier, on 27 July, the Africa Chess Confederation held its 10th Electoral General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Benard Wanjala of Kenya won the presidency with twenty-five (25) votes, narrowly defeating the incumbent, Tshepiso Lopang of Botswana, who received twenty-four (24).
The close ACC contest highlighted the importance of the decisions made by African chess delegates and the responsibility that accompanies continental leadership.
Together, the elections place renewed attention on how chess is governed, how resources are distributed, and how African federations can secure greater opportunities within the international chess system and beyond.
What Does Timur Turlov’s FIDE Presidency Mean for Africa?
The election of a new FIDE President creates an opportunity for African federations to assess how the global governing body can better support the continent.
Africa’s priorities extend beyond participation in international competitions. They include, but are not limited to: stronger national federations, sustainable international tournament organisation, improved access to development resources, stronger junior pathways, women’s chess development and better commercial opportunities.
For these priorities to advance, African federations need effective engagement with FIDE, a clear understanding of the support available to them, and clarity on how FIDE plans to ensure that local resources and support are harnessed for the development of the continent and her federations.
During his campaign, Turlov proposed a development fund to support tournaments, training for arbiters and coaches, player travel and national federation staff, and pointed to commercial partnerships as a way to fund development in regions including Africa.
Turlov’s leadership will therefore be judged not only by the ambitions expressed during the election campaign but also by the programmes, partnerships and measurable outcomes delivered during his presidency.
One early signal is worth noting. For the first time in FIDE’s history, its commissions have been opened to the public: FIDE has invited open applications for all non-elected positions on its Commissions and Committees, with individuals, and not only federations, welcome to put themselves forward. The ACC has done the same, issuing a call for expressions of interest to serve on four newly established ACC commissions. This is a meaningful step for transparency, and an opportunity for Africans with the right expertise to get directly involved in shaping the game.
African chess stakeholders should pay particular attention to how the new administration engages with continental bodies, supports national federations and translates its development priorities into practical opportunities for all.
The ACC Faces Its Own Test of Leadership
At the continental level, Mr Wanjala’s election brings its own expectations. His administration has pledged to move “from promises to performance”, building lasting structures, sustainable finances and inclusive representation for every African federation.
The ACC has a central role in coordinating African chess development, organising continental competitions and representing the interests of national federations. Its effectiveness depends on more than the composition of its executive board; it also depends on transparent administration, consistent communication and the ability to implement decisions.
The election was closely contested, and the subsequent dispute over election-related activities brought governance and accountability into sharper focus.
On 22 September, FIDE’s Ethics and Disciplinary Commission issued a ruling concerning allegations surrounding the 2026 ACC election. The Commission acquitted Mr Wanjala of the complaint against him and found that Lopang had failed to complete the administrative handover to the newly elected administration. It imposed a 12-month exclusion from chess administrative, executive or representative positions, fully suspended on the condition that the required handover be completed within thirty (30) days of notification of the decision.
The ruling should be understood in its proper context: it addressed specific allegations and handover obligations, rather than serving as a general verdict on every aspect of the election.
For the ACC, the broader institutional priority is to ensure that leadership transitions do not obstruct the work of the Confederation or the delivery of services to its member federations.
Editorial note: As at publication, a member of the ACC has confirmed to Africa Chess Media that the handover has not yet taken place. We will update this article as the position develops.
The Real Test: What Changes for African Chess?
The two elections should encourage African chess stakeholders to focus on practical outcomes rather than personalities alone.
Three areas deserve particular attention.
1. Stronger National Federations
National federations need administrative capacity, technical support, sustainable funding and opportunities to organise quality competitions. FIDE and the ACC can help create the conditions for this development, but national federations must also demonstrate effective planning and accountability.
2. More Opportunities for African Players
Continental and international leadership should be measured partly by the opportunities being made available to players: competitive tournaments, junior development pathways, women’s chess initiatives and access to international competition. Titles are once again awarded at Zonal Championships, and the Regional Championships now also offer a qualification pathway to the Chess World Cup.
3. Transparent and Effective Governance
Clear procedures, timely communication, accountable financial management and orderly administrative transitions are essential to maintaining confidence in chess institutions. Governance should support the game, not become a distraction from its development.
Beyond the Election Results
Leadership changes can create opportunities, but elections alone do not guarantee progress.
For Africa, the next phase requires consistent, constructive engagement with the new FIDE administration and an ACC leadership capable of working with federations across the continent, driving participation and making timely commitments to future events.
African chess stakeholders should follow the implementation of campaign commitments, the availability of development programmes and the practical outcomes of cooperation between the two organisations.
Ultimately, the success of these leadership changes will be determined by what African federations, players and organisers experience on the ground.
Africa Chess Media will continue to follow developments in FIDE and ACC governance, examining the decisions, policies and outcomes that matter to African chess.
