Russian Chess Official Dies After Nigeria Trip as Malaria Claim Emerges

(Sergei Indeikin. Photo Credit: Daily Post)

A Russian chess official has d+ed at age 36 after contracting severe malaria during a work trip to Nigeria, according to his family and Russian media reports.

Sergei Indeikin served as an operational manager and delegate for the International Chess Federation and travelled to Abuja in early August for the FIDE World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships held August 1 to 8.

Indeikin fell ill after his trip and returned to his home city of Perm.

His condition deteriorated rapidly and he was taken to hospital, but doctors were unable to save him.

He d+ed on August 23.

FIDE announced his d+ath but described it only as resulting from a sudden illness without specifying the cause.

However, Indeikin's mother told Russian media he had contracted a severe and rapidly progressing form of malaria.

His father said colleagues at FIDE also believed malaria was responsible for his condition.

Russian newspapers reported that Indeikin was bitten by a mosquito while attending the chess tournament in Nigeria, and the bite likely transmitted the malaria parasite.

Medical experts noted that malaria is transmitted through infected mosquito bites in Nigeria and other tropical regions.

Indeikin had worked with FIDE since 2021, helping organise major international chess competitions including World Championships, World Cups and rapid and blitz tournaments.

He travelled extensively for the federation to ensure events ran smoothly.

While family and Russian media linked his death to malaria contracted in Nigeria, FIDE has not independently confirmed the medical cause.

Indeikin is survived by his wife and daughter.