FIDE (International federation of Chess) elections were held in Batumi, Georgia during the 43rd World Chess Olympiad where Arkadi Dvorkovich was elected. Mahir Mamedov - The general director of SOCAR Energy Georgia and Vice-president of Azerbaijan Chess Federation became one of the Vice-presidents.
Mahir Mamedov and SOCAR are actively involved in Georgian chess life as well. SOCAR Georgia Petroleum is the general sponsor of Georgian Chess Federation, Georgian National Teams and World Chess Olympiad - Batumi 2018