“I initially hesitated to join the FIDE presidential campaign, but seeing the deep ties between chess and politics, and inspired by my wife’s insights on Ukraine and Lithuania’s role, I felt it was my duty to stand up for transparency and integrity in the chess world,” he said.
Ukraine’s uphill struggle
For Ukraine’s Kamyshin, the chessboard represents more than strategy: It is a battleground where principles, diplomacy and national identity intersect.
Kyiv’s former minister for strategic industries, who ran the country’s rail infrastructure in the early days of Russia’s war, Kamyshin was elected as president of the country’s chess federation in early September 2024. He is one of the most influential people in the country and is closely connected to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And he has several ambitious goals for his term in charge.
Kamyshin wants to strengthen Ukraine’s position within FIDE, advocate for the suspension of Russia’s chess federation and push for the removal of Russian citizens from FIDE’s leadership. It will be an uphill struggle.
“FIDE today is a lost strategic front for the civilized world,” Kamyshin said, highlighting how Moscow has entrenched itself in the chess governing body, controlling its decisions and operations. “This is not just a Russian citizen leading FIDE — this is a federation run by Russian standards.”
One of the most contentious ongoing issues in chess diplomacy, Kamyshin said, is Russia’s push to reintegrate its players under national flags and anthems despite its ongoing aggression. “As long as they wage an unjust war, killing our athletes, chess players, and civilians, this is unacceptable,” he said.