Statement of the Ukrainian Chess Federation

On 21 September 2026, information was circulated on social media that Ukrainian citizen Mykhailo Podolyak had been invited to join the team of Timur Turlov, a candidate for President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

According to reports on social media, Timur Turlov, in the event of his victory in the FIDE presidential elections, offered Mykhailo Podolyak the post of FIDE Vice President. Mykhailo Podolyak accepted the offer.

These events have caused a wide public reaction both in the chess world and in Ukrainian society. Many presidents of national chess federations, athletes, and public figures have contacted the Ukrainian Chess Federation (CFU). All of them are outraged by the actions of Timur Turlov and Mykhailo Podolyak and by their disregard of the CFU when determining Ukraine’s representative in the FIDE leadership.

The Ukrainian Chess Federation declares