Sergey Karjakin

Sergey Karjakin, born on January twelfth, nineteen ninety, is a distinguished Russian chess grandmaster and politician. A chess prodigy, he made history by becoming the youngest grandmaster in the world at the tender age of twelve years and seven months. His remarkable journey in chess has seen him achieve numerous accolades, including becoming a senator for Crimea in the Federation Council of Russia on September twelfth, twenty twenty-four.

Karjakin's early achievements in chess are noteworthy; he won the European U10 Chess Championship in nineteen ninety-nine and claimed the title of World U12 Chess Champion in two thousand one. By the age of eleven, he had already earned the International Master title, and in two thousand three, he was awarded the grandmaster title. Representing Ukraine, he participated in the Chess Olympiad in two thousand four, where he won both team and individual gold medals.

After transferring to Russia, Karjakin continued to excel, representing his new country in five Chess Olympiads and winning individual gold in two thousand ten. His impressive record includes victories at the World Team Chess Championship in two thousand thirteen and two thousand nineteen, as well as winning the World Rapid Chess Championship in two thousand twelve and the Norway Chess tournament in two thousand thirteen and fourteen.

In two thousand sixteen, he earned the right to challenge for the World Chess Championship after winning the Candidates Tournament. Although he faced Magnus Carlsen in the championship match, ultimately losing in rapid tiebreaks, he secured the title of World Blitz Chess Champion later that year. His participation in the Candidates Tournament continued, with notable placements in two thousand eighteen and twenty-two.

However, Karjakin's public support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to significant repercussions, including a ban from the Grand Chess Tour and a six-month suspension from FIDE-rated events. Following his ban, he has chosen to refrain from participating in events where he cannot compete under the Russian flag, resulting in his inactivity and removal from FIDE's rating lists in June twenty twenty-four.