Bouchra Kadiri, president of the Royal Moroccan Chess Federation, has been elected as the vice-president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The election took place during the 97th edition of the FIDE General Assembly, held on September 26 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This marks a historic first for Moroccan chess. A record 194 member countries participated in the assembly.
The election for the presidency was highly competitive, with three candidates vying for the top spot: Kazakh Timur Turlov, and Germans Jan-Henric Buettner and Vadim Rosenstein. After a second round of voting, Turlov won a four-year term with 110 votes, surpassing Rosenstein's 85 votes. Kadiri led her international election campaign as part of Turlov's team, focusing on a global strategy to develop chess and enhance the presence of Africa and women's chess in international decision-making.
Kadiri expressed her pride and gratitude to the countries that trusted her with this important position, aiming to promote and develop chess in Morocco and Africa. As president of the Royal Moroccan Chess Federation, her goal is to contribute to the growth of chess, both locally and internationally. She is confident about a brighter future for Moroccan chess.
The 46th edition of the Chess Olympiad took place alongside the FIDE General Assembly, featuring the participation of Moroccan national teams, both men's and women's. Kadiri's election to this high-profile international position reflects the increasing international confidence in Moroccan expertise within global institutions.
This achievement is a result of the intense efforts of the Royal Moroccan Chess Federation, led by Kadiri, in participating in international and regional commissions and conferences. These include the Francophone Chess Association, the African Chess Confederation, and bilateral meetings with key leaders in the chess world.
Kadiri's new role will provide Morocco, the Arab region, and Africa with a leadership voice and direct influence within the FIDE executive bureau. This position will enable her to advocate for development programs, expand the base of chess players, and support continental and regional championships during her term.
The accession of Bouchra Kadiri to this influential post is a significant milestone, demonstrating the growing recognition of Moroccan expertise globally. Her election is expected to have a positive impact on the development of chess in Morocco and Africa.
Key points
- Bouchra Kadiri becomes the first Moroccan to hold the position of vice-president in the International Chess Federation.
- The election took place during the 97th edition of the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
- Kadiri's role is expected to enhance the presence of Africa and women's chess in international decision-making.
