RUSSIAN CHESS OFFICIAL DIES AT 36 AFTER SUSPECTED MALARIA INFECTION IN NIGERIA
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By; Sunmola Ganiyat
Russian chess official, Sergei Indeikin, has died at the age of 36 after reportedly contracting a severe form of malaria following a trip to Nigeria.
Indeikin was an operational manager and delegate with the International Chess Federation (FIDE). He travelled to Abuja in early August to participate in the FIDE World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships.
Reports from Russian media outlets, including Argumenty i Fakty (AIF) and Lenta.ru, said his family and colleagues believed he contracted the illness during his stay in Nigeria.
According to AIF, Indeikin’s father, Alexander, said his son became ill after travelling from Abuja to Uzbekistan following the tournament. He later returned to Moscow before travelling to Perm to stay with his mother as his condition worsened.
An ambulance was eventually called and Indeikin was taken to hospital, but his condition reportedly deteriorated rapidly and he could not be saved.
His mother, Tatiana, was quoted by Izvestia as saying that her son died from a severe form of malaria, which he allegedly contracted while working.
Indeikin had reportedly been vaccinated before travelling to Nigeria. His father said the vaccination was intended to reduce the risk of infection but did not provide complete protection.
FIDE confirmed Indeikin’s death on August 23, describing it as a “sudden illness” without specifying the medical condition responsible for his death.
The World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships took place in Abuja from August 1 to 8, with Indeikin listed among the officials involved in the tournament.
The chess administrator had worked with FIDE since 2021 and contributed to the organisation of several major international events, including World Championship matches, World Cups, Candidates Tournaments, and World Rapid and Blitz Championships.
Russian reports also cited medical experts who said malaria can be transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito in tropical regions such as Nigeria. Some reports claimed Indeikin may have been bitten while attending the tournament in Abuja.
FIDE described him as a valued member of its operations team who travelled extensively to support the successful organisation of major chess competitions.
Indeikin is survived by his wife and daughter.
However, despite claims by his family and Russian media that severe malaria contracted during his Nigeria trip caused his death, FIDE has officially only referred to a sudden illness and has not independently confirmed malaria as the cause of death.
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