Ukraine publishes audio alleging Russian bribery and vote-rigging before FIDE election

The Ukrainian Chess Federation has shared an alleged audio recording revealing Russian officials allegedly bribing delegates and manipulating votes before the 2018 FIDE presidential election. The recording surfaced on the federation's Facebook page, with the speaker identified as Mark Glukhovsky, a prominent Russian chess official.

The audio details the man's alleged involvement in bribing delegates and orchestrating schemes to sway the vote in favor of Arkady Dvorkovich, the eventual winner of the election and later FIDE president. Dvorkovich retained the presidency following the 2022 campaign, which was also marred by controversy. He resigned from his role as FIDE president in July 2026 following sanctions from the European Union.

Russian businessman Timur Turlov, a close associate of Dvorkovich, is set to compete in the 2026 FIDE presidential election, scheduled for September 26-27 during the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand. Glukhovsky is currently serving as Turlov's campaign manager. The Ukrainian Chess Federation claims that the recording highlights the alleged Russian approach to the FIDE presidency and calls for international scrutiny, emphasizing that such actions have no international borders.