Russian chess official dies at 36 from severe malaria contracted during work trip to Nigeria

Russian chess official Sergei Indeikin, 36, has died from a severe form of malaria allegedly contracted during a work trip to Abuja, Nigeria, where he served as a FIDE delegate at the World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships held August 1 to 8.

As reported by RBC and other Russian media outlets, Indeikin’s mother Tatiana confirmed he contracted malaria during the Nigeria trip. “It was a very rapidly progressing illness. The most severe form,” she said. Daily Post reports that his condition deteriorated after he travelled through Uzbekistan and Moscow before returning to his home city of Perm, where he was hospitalised but could not be saved.

FIDE announced his death on August 23, describing it as a “sudden illness” without specifying the cause. The federation described Indeikin — involved in organising FIDE events since 2021 including World Championship matches and Candidates tournaments — as an important member of its operations team.

He is survived by his wife and daughter.