Timur Turlov (b. 1987) is a Kazakh entrepreneur, financier and international chess patron, best known as the founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp.. A specialist in international financial markets and brokerage services, Turlov has built one of the leading financial ecosystems in Central Asia, expanding Freedom’s operations across Kazakhstan, Europe and the United States. Under his leadership, Freedom Holding Corp. became publicly traded on NASDAQ and significantly broadened its presence in banking, insurance, telecommunications and digital services.

Alongside his business career, Turlov has become an influential figure in the development of chess and sports in Kazakhstan and internationally. Since 2025, he serves as President of the International School Chess Federation, promoting chess education and youth participation worldwide. He is also the President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation since 2023, supporting the rapid growth of chess infrastructure, scholastic programmes and international events in Kazakhstan.

Turlov focuses on integrating chess into education and public life, advocating for broader access to the game among children and young people. Under his leadership, Kazakhstan has strengthened its position as an emerging global chess hub, hosting major international tournaments and expanding support for elite, women’s and youth chess. He also promotes partnerships between the business community and chess organisations to secure sustainable funding and long-term institutional development for the sport.

As FIDE President, Turlov will bring executive and financial leadership from running a publicly listed  international company, a technology-driven approach through Freedom’s digital platforms and Chessbase, and a proving track record of scaling chess development rapidly and measurably. Based in Central Asia with global reach, he believes he can help FIDE become more digital, financially resilient and inclusive, and ensure that regions beyond traditional chess powerhouses have a stronger voice in the federation’s future.

Turlov also held the position of President of the ISCF (International School Chess Federation). This is a FIDE-affiliated organisation whose mission is primarily to assist chess development for kids.

These positions do not create a conflict of interest. Nevertheless, in order to maintain the highest governance level in FIDE, all matters regarding possible sponsorship contracts between FIDE and Freedom, as well as cooperation agreements between FIDE and the ISCF, will be decided by the FIDE Management Board/FIDE Council, and Turlov will refrain from any voting on these matters. Turlov will also abstain from voting on any hosting bids submitted by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.

 

Viswanathan Anand – five-time world chess champion and the first grandmaster from India. He  considered one of the all time greats in chess.

Anand is the only person in Chess history to have won a World championship title in all formats, match, knock-out and tournament. He became World Rapid Champion in 2017.

He was the top board of the gold medal team of the World Chess Olympiad in 2020.

Viswanathan Anand has been feted with many international awards. He is the proud recipient of the Chess Oscars given for the best player of the year (six times -1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008).

He is the chief mentor of the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy that trains India’s most promising chess talents.

Anand was educated at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School and has a Bachelor of Commerce from Loyola College. He is fluent in German, Spanish and French. He has given many conferences on chess, business and life at prestigious forum like the World Economic Forum, Davos.

Viswanathan Anand is also an ambassador of WWF, a role he is very passionate about. Anand is a keen follower of current affairs, world business and astronomy.

Starting from 2022 Anand served as FIDE Deputy President and in this role he supported global chess development and helped expand the game’s reach in India and worldwide. In particular, his background as a five-time world champion played a great role in FIDE activities aimed at development of faster chess formats (rapid and blitz) and in attracting new audiences.

Anand believes that his experience over all these years will help make the work of FIDE even better.