At the World Rapid Chess Championship, Polish politician Jacek Wilk praised Jan-Krzysztof Duda for refusing to shake hands with Russian grandmaster Denis Khismatullin. The moment captured broad attention on social networks and sparked discussion about the role of politics in sports.
Wilk argued that sport should stand apart from political disputes. He said that mixing politics with athletics exposes a weakness in the actions of athletes, and that a competitor must choose his path: to compete as a sportsperson or to engage in politics. He stressed that his comment was aimed at the broader phenomenon of politicizing sport, not as a critique of Duda specifically. The stance, he noted, also applies to athletes from Russia amid these tensions.
During the events in Samarkand, held from December 26 to 30, Khismatullin extended his hand to Duda before a round, and Duda responded with a gesture signaling refusal. A video of the exchange circulated widely online in early January 2024, fueling debate about sportsmanship and political signals on the chessboard.
The game between Duda and Khismatullin ended in a draw. Some observers wondered whether Duda could face disqualification for not shaking hands, while Khismatullin did not lodge any formal complaint about the incident.
In parallel developments, FIDE, the international chess federation, announced revisions to how players from Russia and Belarus could participate in events. Starting in 2022, players from those countries were barred from competing under their national flag and anthem. They were instead allowed to compete under the banners of the Russian Chess Federation or the Belarusian Chess Federation, or under FIDE’s umbrella if they choose not to represent a national federation.
Earlier, the FIDE Council had approved a move by the Russian Chess Federation to switch its affiliation from the European Chess Union to the Asian Chess Federation, a change that shaped the organizational landscape for several players and federations involved in regional competitions.
Khismatullin himself commented that Duda’s decision did not disturb him and did not affect his approach to the match. The exchange underscored a broader conversation about how sport and politics intersect in major international events and how players navigate these pressures while competing on the world stage.