Russian chess official dies of suspected malaria after Nigeria trip

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, who served as an operational manager and delegate of the International Chess Federation, FIDE, travelled to Abuja earlier in August for the FIDE World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships.

Russian media, including Argumenty i Fakty (AIF) and Lenta.ru, reported that relatives and colleagues attributed the infection to his trip to Nigeria.

AIF, citing his father, Alexander, reported on August 24 that “shortly before his death, his son was on a business trip to Abuja, Nigeria. He then travelled to Uzbekistan, where he began to feel ill.”

According to the report, Indeikin’s father said the symptoms described to him by his son’s FIDE colleagues indicated malaria.

“He travelled from Uzbekistan to Moscow, but didn’t stay in the capital, where his father lives, instead heading to Perm to join his mother. However, his condition worsened there. An ambulance was called for him, and he was hospitalised, but his condition could not be saved,” the report said.

AIF also quoted Alexander, saying, “his son was vaccinated before his trip to Nigeria, flying to Moscow from Pyatigorsk, where he lives permanently, specifically for the purpose. His son said that the vaccine could mitigate the risk, but it doesn’t guarantee 100% protection.”

FIDE’s coverage of the competition confirmed Indeikin’s presence in Abuja, where he was listed among the officials involved in the tournament.

The championship was held from August 1 to 8.

FIDE announced Indeikin’s death on August 23 on its X handle, describing it as the result of a “sudden illness” without publicly identifying the specific medical condition.

Its obituary read, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague Sergei Indeikin, FIDE Operational Manager, following a sudden illness.”

Meanwhile, Russian business newspaper Izvestia reported that Indeikin’s mother, Tatiana, told the publication on August 24 that the cause of death was a severe form of malaria.

According to her, Sergei contracted the disease while working and his condition deteriorated rapidly over two weeks.

“He had already arrived. And he arrived in Perm. He was admitted to the hospital, it was too late. He had a very rapid-onset illness. The most severe form,” she was quoted as saying.

AIF also quoted medical expert Professor Alexander Lukashev as explaining that malaria can be transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito in Nigeria and other tropical regions.

Other Russian media organisations, 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 been involved in FIDE events since 2021 and played a role in organising several major international 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 help ensure that major chess events were successfully organised.

He is survived by his wife and daughter.

However, while Indeikin’s family and several Russian media reports have linked his illness to severe malaria allegedly contracted during his trip to Nigeria, FIDE has officially attributed his death only to a sudden illness and has not independently confirmed malaria as the medical cause of death.

PUNCH Online is making ongoing effort to get comment from the Nigeria Chess Federation.