Viswanathan Anand announced as candidate for FIDE deputy president's post

Chess Federation (FIDE) president Arkady Dvorkovich has announced former world champion, India's Viswanathan Anand, as the candidate for the deputy president's post. Dvorkovich is again running for the president's post. According to a FIDE official, if Dvorkovich wins the elections, Anand will be his deputy.

On his part Anand tweeted, "Hope to be part of a brighter and better future for Chess. #SayChess #DvorkovichTeam2022." Last month, Anand had announced that he will be supporting Dvorkovich in the FIDE elections. At that time, Anand had said, "I have agreed to support Arkady Dvorkovich.

We have discussed this but we haven't decided yet in what role or capacity I will be involved. The team led by Dvorkovich has done a lot for the sport." Anand at that time had categorically denied that he will be contesting for any FIDE office-bearer's post, but confirmed his involvement in the elections. "We have discussed that Viswanathan (Anand) will be a huge part of our team," Dvorkovich had said last month.

Interestingly, Anand was appointed as Asia's Continental Assistant to FIDE president by Dvorkovich in 2019. The incumbent deputy president of FIDE is Bachar Kouatly. The FIDE elections will be conducted alongside the 44th Chess Olympiad to be held at Mahabalipuram during July-August.

The meeting of the General Assembly will take place on August 7-8, when the elections will be completed. According to FIDE, the elections will take place for the post of president and deputy president (on a joint ticket), vice-president, zonal president, a member of the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission and a member of Constitutional Commission. Enyonam Sewa Fumey of Togolese Republic has announced his decision to contest for the post of FIDE