Russian chess official Sergei Indeikin, 36, has died after reportedly developing a severe form of malaria following a work trip to Nigeria.
Indeikin worked as an operational manager and delegate for the International Chess Federation (FIDE). He travelled to Abuja in August to support the FIDE World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, held from August 1 to 8.
FIDE announced his death on August 23, saying he died after a “sudden illness” but did not reveal the cause.
Russian media, citing his parents and medical sources, reported that Indeikin was believed to have contracted severe malaria while in Nigeria.
After the tournament, Indeikin travelled from Abuja to Uzbekistan, where he reportedly began having health problems. He later passed through Moscow before returning to his hometown, Perm, but his condition quickly became worse.
His mother, Tatiana, described the illness as “very rapidly progressing” and said it was “the most severe form.”
His father, Alexander, reportedly said his son’s colleagues believed malaria could have caused the illness. Other Russian media reports said Indeikin may have been bitten by an infected mosquito while in Nigeria.
He was later taken to a hospital in Perm, where doctors reportedly could not save him.
Indeikin is survived by his wife and daughter.
However, while his family and Russian media have linked his death to severe malaria allegedly contracted in Nigeria, FIDE has only confirmed that he died after a sudden illness and has not independently confirmed malaria as the cause.
