Malcolm Pein, FIDE Presidential Candidate

Malcolm Pein

Presidential Candidate

Malcolm Pein has spent four decades at the heart of British and international chess — as a player, organiser, journalist, and educator. He is the founder of Chess in Schools and Communities, the organiser of the London Chess Classic, and the Daily Telegraph's chess columnist for over 30 years.

His track record spans the grassroots and the elite game in equal measure: from teaching children in inner-city primary schools to hosting World Champions at Olympia. He understands what federations need, what players want, and what FIDE has to become to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Full Biography →

Campaign Team

Campaign Director

Campaign Director

Campaign Strategy

Twenty years in international sports governance. Has led three successful federation reform campaigns across Europe and Australasia.

Policy Lead

Policy Lead

Governance & Policy

Former national federation president and expert in international sports law. Wrote the governance reform blueprint for this platform.

Global Outreach Director

Global Outreach Director

Federations Liaison

Speaks six languages. Has worked with over 200 national federations across four continents. Your first call if you represent a federation.

Digital Strategy Lead

Digital Strategy Lead

Media & Technology

Esports and digital media veteran with a decade of experience in chess broadcasting. Architected the streaming and digital platform vision.

Finance Director

Finance Director

Finance & Operations

Chartered accountant and board member of two international sports organisations. Designed the financial transparency commitments in the platform.

Education Programme Lead

Education Programme Lead

Education & Youth

Has run school chess programmes in 15 countries. Led CSC's COVID pivot to online learning. Authored the youth development commitments.

Advisory Board

Respected voices from across the chess world who are shaping the campaign's platform and lending their experience and insight.

Senior Grandmaster advisor

Senior Grandmaster

Player Relations Advisor

Former Top-10 player and respected voice for professional player rights and fair prize fund distribution.

African Chess Leader advisor

African Chess Leader

Africa Development Advisor

Continental chess official who has built programmes in 12 African nations. Shaped our Africa Development Fund commitment.

Women's Chess Champion advisor

Women's Chess Champion

Gender Equity Advisor

Women's International Master and advocate who designed the gender equity commitments in our platform.

Integrity and anti-cheating advisor

Integrity Expert

Anti-Cheating Advisor

Leading researcher in computational chess integrity analysis. Advises on the anti-cheating and integrity platform pillar.

Want to join the campaign?

We're looking for federation officials, chess educators, and passionate players who want to help shape the future of the game.

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