Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has taken over the interim presidency of the international chess federation (FIDE) after its incumbent president Arkady Dvorkovich stepped aside following his inclusion in the European Union's list of sanctioned individuals related to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Dvorkovich, who hails from Russia, has decided to challenge EU's decision "by all means".

The EU action could lead to freezing of his accounts and travel bans. Anand has been the deputy president of FIDE since 2022. "The FIDE Council accepts and ratifies the decision of Mr Arkady Dvorkovich to suspend the exercise of his rights, duties and prerogatives as President of the FIDE," the world body said in a statement. "In accordance with article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter, Mr Anand Viswanathan, Deputy President of FIDE, shall act as Interim President as long as Mr Dvorkovich is subject to the restrictive measures provided by the Swiss and EU laws and regulations in force," it added.