Chess Legend Georgio Makropoulos Has Died
By Douglas C. · Tue, 15 Sep 2026
FIDE has announced the death of Georgios Makropoulos, describing him as "one of the most influential figures in international chess administration over the past four decades." He was 72.
FIDE has announced the death of Georgios Makropoulos, describing him as "one of the most influential figures in international chess administration over the past four decades." He was 72.Before the boardroom, there was the boardBorn September 29, 1953, Makropoulos was among Greece's leading players through the 1970s and 1980s. He won the Greek Championship seven times between 1971 and 1985, represented his country at three Chess Olympiads and the European Team Championship, and earned the International Master title in 1979, reaching a peak rating of 2485.Thirty-two years, three titles, one federationMakropoulos's real legacy was built off the board. He became a FIDE Vice President in 1986, moved into the role of General Secretary in 1990, and served as FIDE Deputy President from 1996 until 2018, a run spanning multiple FIDE presidencies and some of the most turbulent chapters in the federation's modern history. He stood as a candidate for the FIDE presidency himself in 2018, and remained closely involved in the organization afterward, including a later run for FIDE Vice President in 2022. At the time of his death he held the position of FIDE Vice President and was Honorary President of the Greek Chess Federation.FIDE's tribute put it plainly: few people have been as closely involved in the development and governance of international chess across such a long and transformative period. The federation said his knowledge, experience, energy, and commitment left a lasting mark on FIDE and on generations of people across the global chess community.He built the house the sport is meeting in right nowMakropoulos's death comes right as the chess world gathers in Samarkand for the 46th Chess Olympiad and the FIDE Congress that runs alongside it, the same institutions he spent most of his adult life helping to build. FIDE extended its condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the Greek chess community, closing its statement simply: "Rest in peace, Georgios."