Russian chess official Sergei Indeykin has died at the age of 36 after reportedly developing severe malaria following a work trip to Nigeria.

Indeykin, an operations manager with the International Chess Federation, FIDE, reportedly fell ill after travelling from Nigeria to Uzbekistan for work.

According to reports from Russian media, he may have contracted malaria after being bitten by an infected mosquito during his stay in Nigeria.

His condition reportedly worsened after he returned to Russia, where he was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Perm. Doctors were unable to save him.

FIDE confirmed Indeykin’s death following a sudden illness but did not publicly state that malaria was the cause of death.

Indeykin had worked at FIDE events since 2021 and was involved in organising major international chess tournaments.

His death has prompted tributes from members of the international chess community, with colleagues mourning the loss of an official who had contributed to the organisation of major competitions.

Reports of his suspected malaria infection have also renewed attention on the risks of mosquito-borne diseases for international travellers visiting malaria-endemic regions.