International Reactions to Handshake Controversies in Chess
The World Rapid Chess Championship in Uzbekistan drew attention beyond the board as Dominik Hasek, the Czech goalie, commented on social media about Jan-Krzysztof Duda’s decision to decline a handshake with Denis Khismatullin, a Russian grandmaster. The moment occurred as players faced off in the event held from December 26 to 30.
Hasek’s reply emphasized a respectful gesture while noting that a handshake alone does not resolve deeper tensions surrounding competition and politics in sport. The Duda–Khismatullin game ultimately ended in a draw, and despite the potential for disqualification for snubbing the handshake, no formal protest from the Russian side followed the event.
In response to the broader political climate, FIDE announced in 2022 that Russian and Belarusian players would compete under neutral banners rather than their national flags or anthems. Players from these countries could participate under the flags of the Russian Chess Federation or the Belarusian Chess Federation, or under the FIDE banner, a move aimed at maintaining participation while separating sport from national symbols. The council had also previously allowed a transfer from the European Chess Union to the Asian Chess Federation for the Russian and Belarusian federations, illustrating ongoing organizational adjustments tied to geopolitical realities.
Meanwhile, at the World Blitz Championship in Samarkand on December 30, Ukrainian player Anna Muzychuk chose not to shake hands with Valentina Gunina of Russia after losing in the 17th round. The gesture underscored how political tensions commonly surface in high‑level competitions and elicit strong responses among players from different countries.
Earlier, reports noted that Sergey Karyakin called for sanctions after the Polish grandmaster’s refusal to shake hands with a Russian opponent, highlighting the complex intersection of sporting conduct and national allegiance within the chess world.