FIDE candidate Buettner proposes 20% revenue share for members

Jan Henric Buettner, a candidate for FIDE president, has proposed a revenue-sharing model based on FIFA's approach, allocating 20% of the federation's income to member associations. The plan aims to directly benefit national chess federations and boost the sport's development worldwide.

Currently, FIDE distributes help through its Development Fund, which gave 400,000 Euros to national federations in 2026 out of a total 1.6 million Euro fund. Buettner said FIDE's finances are opaque and his first step would be to audit them. He wants to double FIDE's revenue by attracting Western sponsors.

Buettner also drew parallels with FIFA's Forward programme, which provides up to $8 million per member association over four years. To implement his vision, the German entrepreneur must first win the FIDE presidential election.