During the World Rapid Chess Championship in Samarkand, Polish Grandmaster Jan-Krzysztof Duda garnered attention for his refusal to shake hands with Russian chess player Denis Chismatullin
This notable act was a clear expression of Duda’s stance against Chismatullin, an outspoken supporter of Vladimir Putin’s regime and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Polish chess player Jan-Krzysztof Duda refuses hand shake with Russian Denis Chismatullin, video goes viral
Chismatullin, despite his public backing of Russian aggression, was permitted to participate in the championship under a neutral flag by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
FIDE justified its decision by stating that it did not verify players’ political statements and found no grounds to disqualify Chismatullin.
❗️🇵🇱Polski szachista Jan-Krzysztof Duda odmówił podania ręki Rosjaninowi Denisowi Chismatullinowipic.twitter.com/Ey97016Uma
— BuckarooBanzai (@Buckarobanza) January 2, 2024
This move reignited the ongoing discourse about the involvement of individuals with controversial political affiliations in the realm of sports.
Duda Finished At 10th Position
Ultimately, Jan-Krzysztof Duda finished the championship in the 10th position, while the victory went to Norwegian chess player Magnus Carlsen, securing his seventh world title.
Duda’s bold stand against Chismatullin overshadowed the tournament results, highlighting the intricate connection between politics and sports.
The act of refusing to shake hands by Jan-Krzysztof Duda transcends a personal choice; it symbolizes the broader complexities and controversies surrounding political positions within the international sports and competition arena.
This incident underscores the challenges faced when athletes publicly align themselves with contentious political regimes.
For those unfamiliar, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, born on April 26, 1998, is a Polish chess grandmaster. A prodigy, he attained the grandmaster title at the age of 15 years and 21 days in 2013.
As of December 2023, he holds the No. 1 rank in Poland and is positioned as No. 16 globally. With a personal best rating of 2760, he stands as the highest-ranked Polish player in history.
Duda’s achievements include winning the Polish Championship in 2018, securing victory in the Chess World Cup in 2021, and earning a bronze medal at the European Team Chess Championship in 2021.
Additionally, he participated in the Candidates Tournament in 2022, finishing in seventh place. In recognition of his contributions to chess, Duda was awarded the Golden Cross of Merit.