Rosenstein Heads Into FIDE Vote With Momentum and a Clear Plan for Federations

 With the FIDE presidential election taking place tomorrow, September 27, at the General Assembly in Samarkand, Wadim Rosenstein's campaign enters the final day with steadily growing support from across the chess world.

Over recent weeks, backing for Rosenstein and his running mate Gordon Tang, Executive Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia, has come from national federations and senior officials in Europe and Africa. Among those publicly supporting him are European Chess Union President Zurab Azmaiparashvili, French Chess Federation President Eloi Relange and former FIDE Vice President Lewis Ncube, along with the Montenegro and Mozambique federations. This week, former FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov also announced his support in Samarkand.

What has drawn this support is a programme built around one idea: FIDE should work for its member federations.

Rosenstein brings a rare combination to the role. He grew up playing in German youth competitions, built a successful international business career, and through WR Chess has organised and funded elite events that brought new sponsors and audiences to the game. Paired with Tang's experience in international sports governance and his relationships across Asia, the ticket offers leadership with reach across continents.

"Every federation, large or small, should be able to point to what FIDE does for them. Today, too many can't," said Rosenstein. "I've spent my life around this game, first as a young player and now as an organiser, and I know how much talent is waiting for the right support. Tomorrow, delegates have the chance to build a FIDE that serves its members. That is the FIDE Gordon and I will deliver."

As delegates gather in Samarkand, the campaign believes the growing coalition behind it shows that federations are ready for that change.