A 36-year-old Russian chess official, Sergei Indeikin, has died after reportedly contracting severe malaria in Nigeria. Indeikin worked with the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
He travelled to Abuja in August for the FIDE World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships. The tournament took place from August 1 to 8. FIDE later confirmed his death on August 23. However, the federation only described it as a “sudden illness.”
According to Russian media reports, Indeikin became sick after leaving Nigeria. He travelled to Uzbekistan before passing through Moscow to Perm. His condition reportedly worsened very quickly. His mother, Tatiana, called it “the most severe form” of the illness.
Meanwhile, his father, Alexander, said colleagues suspected malaria. Other Russian reports claimed Indeikin may have been bitten by an infected mosquito in Nigeria. He was later admitted to a hospital in Perm. Sadly, doctors could not save him. Indeikin leaves behind his wife and daughter.
FIDE has not independently confirmed malaria as the cause of death. His family and Russian media reports remain the main sources linking his illness to malaria. The case has also highlighted the serious health risks travellers can face in malaria-endemic countries.
