Russian chess official Sergei Indeikin has died at the age of 36 after reportedly developing a severe form of malaria following a work trip to Nigeria.
Indeikin, an operational manager and delegate of the International Chess Federation, FIDE, travelled to Abuja earlier this month for the FIDE World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships.
FIDE’s coverage of the tournament confirmed his presence in Abuja, where he was listed among officials involved in the competition. The championship took place from August 1 to 8.
FIDE announced Indeikin’s death on August 23, describing it as the result of a “sudden illness” without specifying the medical condition.
However, Russian business newspaper RBC, citing his mother, Tatiana, reported that Indeikin had contracted a severe form of malaria during his work trip.
His mother said he was taken to hospital after returning to Perm, but his condition had already deteriorated significantly.
“It was a very rapidly progressing illness. The most severe form,” she was quoted as saying.
Russian newspaper Argumenty i Fakty also reported that Indeikin travelled to Abuja before proceeding to Uzbekistan, where he began experiencing health problems.
His father, Alexander, told the publication that information from his son’s colleagues at FIDE suggested malaria could have been responsible for his condition.
Indeikin later travelled through Moscow to his home city of Perm, where his condition reportedly worsened. An ambulance was called and he was admitted to hospital, but doctors were unable to save him.
AIF reported that relatives and colleagues believed he contracted the illness while in Nigeria.
Medical expert Professor Alexander Lukashev told the publication that malaria can be transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito in Nigeria and other tropical regions.
Other Russian media outlets, including Lenta.ru, reported that Indeikin was bitten by a mosquito while attending the chess tournament in Nigeria and that the bite was suspected to have transmitted the malaria parasite.
Indeikin had worked with FIDE since 2021 and participated in the organisation of several major international chess competitions, including World Championship matches, World Cups, Candidates tournaments and World Rapid and Blitz Championships.
FIDE described him as an important member of its operations team who travelled extensively to support the organisation of major chess events around the world.
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
However, the specific cause of death has not been independently confirmed by FIDE. The organisation has officially described his death only as resulting from a sudden illness, while his family and Russian media reports have linked it to severe malaria allegedly contracted during his trip to Nigeria.
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