Russian chess official Sergei Indeikin has died at 36 after reportedly falling ill with a severe form of malaria following a work trip to Nigeria.

Indeikin was in Abuja earlier this month for the FIDE World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, held from August 1 to 8.

He served as an operational manager and delegate of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and was listed among officials who worked at the tournament.

FIDE announced his death on August 23, saying he had died after a “sudden illness”. The federation, however, did not state the illness that caused his death.

Reports from Russian media later linked his death to malaria.

Russian business newspaper RBC, citing Indeikin’s mother, Tatiana, reported that he developed a severe form of malaria during his work trip.

According to the report, Indeikin returned to Perm after the trip and was taken to hospital as his condition worsened.

“It was a very rapidly progressing illness. The most severe form,” his mother was quoted as saying by RBC.

ALSO READ: Assault allegations against Poco Lee not evidence of guilt — Management

AIF, another Russian newspaper, reported that Indeikin first travelled to Abuja before continuing to Uzbekistan. It was in Uzbekistan that he reportedly began experiencing health problems.

His father, Alexander, told AIF that colleagues at FIDE had provided information suggesting that malaria may have caused his illness.

Indeikin later travelled through Moscow to Perm, his home city. His condition reportedly became worse after he arrived, leading relatives to call an ambulance.

He was taken to hospital, but doctors were unable to save him.

AIF reported that Indeikin’s relatives and colleagues believed he contracted the illness while in Nigeria.

The newspaper also spoke to medical expert Professor Alexander Lukashev, who explained that malaria can be spread by the bite of an infected mosquito in Nigeria and other tropical areas.

Lenta.ru and other Russian media outlets also reported that Indeikin was bitten by a mosquito while attending the chess competition in Nigeria. The bite was reportedly suspected to have transmitted the malaria parasite.

Indeikin joined FIDE events in 2021 and was involved in the organisation of several international chess competitions.

His work included World Championship matches, World Cups, Candidates tournaments and World Rapid and Blitz Championships.

FIDE said Indeikin was an important member of its operations team and travelled to different locations to support the organisation of major chess events.

He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Despite reports from his family and Russian media linking his illness to severe malaria allegedly contracted in Nigeria, FIDE has only confirmed that he died following a sudden illness. The federation has not independently confirmed malaria as the cause of his death.