Buettner Sends Cease and Desist Notice to FIDE, Alleges Institutional Support for Turlov Campaign

Jan Henric Buettner, a candidate for the presidency of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), has issued an open letter and formal cease and desist legal notice addressed to the FIDE Council, officers and employees, alleging that the Federation’s personnel and resources have been mobilised in support of fellow candidate Timur Turlov‘s presidential bid. The letter, sent during the ongoing FIDE Presidential Election cycle, raises questions about institutional neutrality in the lead-up to the vote.

Allegations of Campaign Activity

Buettner’s letter alleges that FIDE employees have been actively engaged in campaign-related work benefiting Turlov in several cities. According to the letter, identifiable Federation staff are said to have accompanied, facilitated or otherwise supported Turlov during campaign events, and are reported to have made official FIDE telephone calls to arrange meetings between the candidate and national delegates.

The letter further claims that FIDE funds may have been used to cover salaries, international travel, accommodation and related expenses tied to these activities. Buettner’s team states that it has gathered what it describes as numerous credible reports, and indicates that evidence — including event dates, names of individuals involved, public photographs, schedules, travel records, witness statements and official announcements — can be supplied on request.

Locations Cited

The cease and desist notice lists several jurisdictions where the alleged conduct has taken place or is anticipated. Events that have already occurred are cited in Cape Town, Bucharest and Addis Ababa. According to the letter, similar arrangements are expected in Costa Rica, Aruba, Panama and New York City.

Claims of Unequal Treatment

In a section addressing the conditions faced by his own campaign, Buettner describes what he characterises as unequal treatment of candidates. He states that his team offered to raise the prize fund of the Caribbean Chess Cup 2026 in Aruba from USD 8,000 to USD 18,000 in order to participate on equal terms, and that this proposal was declined.

Buettner also notes that even if the events in question were privately funded by Turlov or his companies, the concern persists wherever FIDE personnel or institutional resources are simultaneously deployed in connection with those gatherings.

Demands to FIDE

The legal notice calls on FIDE to immediately instruct its personnel to refrain from providing campaign support in their official capacity or through institutional resources. Buettner has requested written confirmation of the Federation’s strict neutrality within seven days of receipt of the letter, failing which he has indicated that further steps will be considered.

Broader Context

The exchange comes amid an already active campaign season, with Buettner having separately extended an invitation to Wadim Rosenstein regarding the FIDE elections. The dispute places questions of institutional impartiality and the use of Federation resources at the centre of the contest, with the Council now formally on notice to respond.

Source

This report is based on information published by Chessdom.

Official source: https://www.chessdom.com/jan-henric-buettner-sends-cease-and-desist-notice-to-fide-over-alleged-support-for-timur-turlov/