Former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand has assumed office as the Interim President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the global governing body of chess. He took charge after Arkady Dvorkovich stepped aside because of sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU). Anand, who hails from Chennai, became India's first Grandmaster in 1988 and has been serving in FIDE's leadership. His elevation places an Indian at the head of world chess administration, at a time when Indian players are among the strongest in the game.