View source for Sergey Karjakin

{{short description|Russian chess grandmaster (born 1990)}}
{{For|people with a similar name|Sergey Karyakin (disambiguation){{!}}Sergey Karyakin}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2025}}
{{family name hatnote|Alexandrovich|Karjakin|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox chess player
| name = Sergey Karjakin
| image = Sergey Karjakin 3, Candidates Tournament 2018.jpg
| caption = Karjakin in 2018
| birth_name = Sergey Alexandrovich Karjakin
| country = Ukraine (until 2009)<br />Russia (since 2009)
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1990|1|12}}
| birth_place = [[Simferopol]], [[Crimea in the Soviet Union|Crimean Oblast]], [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]], Soviet Union<!--Don't add current political status since disputed, feel free to create a talk discussion-->
| death_date =
| death_place =
| title = [[Grandmaster (chess)|Grandmaster]] (2003)
| worldchampion =
| rating =
| peakrating = 2788 (July 2011)
| peakranking = No. 4 (July 2011)
| FideID = 14109603
|module={{Infobox officeholder
| embed         = yes
| office1       = Member of the [[Federation Council]] for [[Republic of Crimea (Russia)|Crimea]]
| term_start1   = 12 September 2024
| term_end1     = 
| party         = [[United Russia]]
}}}}

'''Sergey Alexandrovich Karjakin'''{{efn|{{langx|ru|Серге́й Алекса́ндрович Каря́кин}}, {{IPA|ru|sʲɪrˈɡʲej ɐlʲɪkˈsandrəvʲɪtɕ kɐˈrʲækʲɪn|IPA}}.}} (born 12 January 1990) is a Russian chess [[grandmaster (chess)|grandmaster]] and politician. A [[chess prodigy]], he previously held the record for the world's youngest ever grandmaster, having qualified for the title at the age of 12 years and 7 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/record-breaking-mini-grandmaster-|title=Record-breaking mini-grandmaster?|website=En.chessbase.com|date=16 May 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=26 May 2020 |title=Sergey Karjakin: The Ultimate Prodigy |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/sergey-karjakin-the-ultimate-prodigy |website=Chess24.com}}</ref> On 12 September 2024, he became a senator for [[Republic of Crimea (Russia)|Crimea]] in the [[Federation Council (Russia)|Federation Council]] of Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Svensen (TarjeiJS) |first=Tarjei J. |date=2025-02-25 |title=Sergey Karjakin Sanctioned By European Union |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/sergey-karjakin-sanctioned-by-eu |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Chess.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Karjakin won the [[European Youth Chess Championship|European U10 Chess Championship]] in 1999 and was the [[World Youth Chess Championship#Under-12 winners|World U12 Chess Champion]] in 2001. He earned the [[International Master]] title at age 11 and was awarded his grandmaster title in 2003. He represented Ukraine at the [[Chess Olympiad]] in [[36th Chess Olympiad|2004]], winning team and individual gold. He competed in two more Chess Olympiads for Ukraine and won the [[Tata Steel Chess Tournament#2009|Corus chess tournament]] in 2009, before [[list of nationality transfers in chess|transferring]] to Russia. He has since represented Russia five times in the Chess Olympiad, winning individual gold in [[39th Chess Olympiad|2010]]. He also won team gold with Russia at the [[World Team Chess Championship]] in 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.chessbase.com/post/world-team-09-russia-takes-gold-china-silver|title=World Team 09 Russia takes gold; China silver|date=6 December 2013|website=En.chessbase.com|access-date=7 December 2013}}</ref> and 2019.

Karjakin won the 2012 [[World Rapid Chess Championship#World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships (2012–present)|World Rapid Chess Championship]] and the [[Norway Chess]] tournament in 2013 and 2014. He competed at the [[Candidates Tournament 2014]], placing second. He won the [[Chess World Cup 2015]], thus qualifying for the [[Candidates Tournament 2016]]. He won the tournament and earned the right to challenge for the [[World Chess Championship]]. In November 2016, he lost the [[World Chess Championship 2016|championship match]] to [[Magnus Carlsen]] in the rapid tiebreaks after drawing 6–6 in the classical games. He won the 2016 [[World Blitz Chess Championship#World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships (since 2012)|World Blitz Chess Championship]]. He participated in the Candidates tournament again in [[Candidates Tournament 2018|2018]], placing third, and qualified for the [[Candidates Tournament 2022|2022 Candidates]] by finishing second in the [[Chess World Cup 2021]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-06 |title=Jan-Krzysztof Duda wins the 2021 FIDE World Cup |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/world-cup-2021-r8-d2 |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Chess News |language=en}}</ref>

Karjakin's public approval of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] prompted the [[Grand Chess Tour]] to ban him for future events. He was also banned from playing FIDE-rated events for six months, including the [[Candidates Tournament 2022]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Doggers |first=Peter |date=21 March 2022 |title=Karjakin Banned For 6 Months, Misses Out On Candidates |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/sergey-karjakin-banned-for-6-months |access-date=22 March 2022 |website=Chess.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Following the expiration of his ban, Karjakin has refused to participate in events where he is barred from playing under the Russian flag;<ref name=2023cwc>{{Cite web |last=Pretot |first=Julien |date=1 June 2023 |title=Chess-Karjakin likely to skip World Cup, Carlsen's coach calls for sanctions |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/chess-russias-karjakin-likely-skip-world-cup-polls-followers-social-media-2023-06-01/ |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''I wouldn't forgive myself'': Ukraine's traitor Karjakin explains his refusal to play without the Russian flag |url=https://eng.obozrevatel.com/section-sport/news-i-wouldnt-forgive-myself-ukraines-traitor-karjakin-explains-his-refusal-to-play-without-the-russian-flag-06-06-2023.html |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Obozrevatel |language=en}}</ref> this, in conjunction with FIDE's ban on Belarusian and Russian flags, meant that Karjakin has been inactive, dropping out of FIDE's rating lists in June 2024.

== Prodigy ==
Karjakin learned to play chess when he was five years old.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ichess.net/2011/08/10/serjey-karjakin-vs-alexandra-interview/|title=Sergey Karjakin vs. Alexandra Kosteniuk – How to be a GM Series|date=10 August 2011|website=Ichess.net|access-date=16 November 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> He joined the A.V. Momot Club in [[Kramatorsk, Ukraine]], and was coached by Vladislav Borovikov,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chessforallages.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/karjakins-early-games.html|title=Chess for All Ages: Karjakin's Early Games|website=Chessforallages.blogspot.co.uk|access-date=26 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/chess/malcolmpein/3587761/Beauty-and-brains-line-up-at-Hastings.html|title=Beauty and brains line up at Hastings|last=Pein|first=Malcolm|website=Telegraph.co.uk|date=27 December 2002 |access-date=26 April 2016}}</ref> becoming an [[International Master]] at age 11{{nbs}}years and 11{{nbs}}months. He won the [[European Youth Chess Championship|U10 European championship]] in 1999 and the [[World Youth Chess Championship|U12 world championship]] in 2001. Also in 2001, Karjakin tied for first place in the U14 European championship with [[Borki Predojević]] and [[Rauf Mamedov]], taking the silver medal on tiebreak.<ref>[http://www.torneionline.com/loto_tornei_d.php?codice=2001GRE08&tipo=1 C.to Europeo U14]. ''LOTO – Lost Tournaments''. Italian Chess Federation. {{in lang|it}}.</ref> In January 2002, he was the official second of fellow Ukrainian [[Ruslan Ponomariov]] during the final of the [[FIDE World Chess Championship 2002|FIDE World Championship]], though Karjakin had only just turned 12 at the time.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

By scoring grandmaster norms at the [[Aeroflot Open]] in Moscow, [[Alushta]] tournament in May 2002 and [[Sudak]] in August 2002, he surpassed [[Bu Xiangzhi]] to become the world's youngest grandmaster at the age of 12{{nbs}}years 7{{nbs}}months―a record that lasted for 19{{nbs}}years until 2021, when American player [[Abhimanyu Mishra]] achieved the qualifications for the title at the age of 12{{nbs}}years, 4{{nbs}}months, and 25{{nbs}}days. Both Karjakin and Mishra have faced scrutiny for the methods with which they won their qualification, however; Karjakin's father has been accused of using methods skirting the norms of chess in enabling such an early attainment of the title.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Nechepurenko|first1=Ivan|last2=Friedman|first2=Misha|date=13 July 2021|title=The Dark Side of Chess: Payoffs, Points and 12-Year-Old Grandmasters|language=en-US|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/13/sports/chess-karjakin-mishra-grandmasters.html|access-date=13 July 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 2003, Karjakin won a six-game match against [[Alexandra Kosteniuk]] ("Dannemann Classico") in [[Brissago]] by a score of 4–2<ref>{{cite web|title=Sergey Karjakin (13) beats women's vice champion|url=http://en.chessbase.com/post/sergey-karjakin-13-beats-women-s-vice-champion/302|website=En.chessbase.com|access-date=1 June 2016|date=6 February 2003}}</ref> and tied for second in the [[Ukrainian Chess Championship|Ukrainian championship]].<ref>[https://ratings.fide.com/tournament_report.phtml?event16=37020&t=0 Tournament report January 2004. UKR Champ.Men 2003]. FIDE.</ref>

He competed in the [[FIDE World Chess Championship 2004|2004 FIDE World Championship]] in [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]], where he lost in the first round to [[Mikhail Kobalia]]. Soon after, Karjakin took part in the [[Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting]]. Here he defeated the reigning world champion, [[Vladimir Kramnik]], in a [[fast chess|blitz game]]. In October, Karjakin was the only human to win against a computer in the [[Man vs Machine World Team Championship]] in [[Bilbao]], Spain, where he was the youngest and lowest-rated player, beating [[Junior (chess program)|Deep Junior]]. At the [[36th Chess Olympiad]] in [[Calvià]], he was the youngest member of the gold-medal-winning Ukrainian team. He also won an individual gold medal thanks to his score of 6½/7 points playing the second reserve board.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.olimpbase.org/players/isk2qyyg.html |title=Men's Chess Olympiads – Sergei Karjakin |website=Olimpbase |access-date=23 June 2016}}</ref> In December 2004, Karjakin finished second, behind [[Boris Gelfand]] at the [[Pamplona]] tournament. In the following month, he won the Group{{nbs}}B of the [[Corus Chess Tournament]] in [[Wijk aan Zee]], thus qualifying for the 2006 Group{{nbs}}A.<ref>{{cite web|title=Corus 13: Peter Leko wins Wijk aan Zee 2005|url=http://en.chessbase.com/post/corus-13-peter-leko-wins-wijk-aan-zee-2005|website=En.chessbase.com|access-date=12 May 2016|date=31 January 2005}}</ref>

Karjakin entered the world's top 100 in the April 2005 [[FIDE]] list, at 64th with an [[Elo rating]] of 2635. He scored 8½/11 points (+7=3–1) to win the Young Stars of the World tournament held in [[Kirishi]], Russia in May.<ref>Misha Savinov (31 May 2005), [http://en.chessbase.com/post/sergey-karjakin-the-wizard-of-kirishi "Sergey Karjakin, the Wizard of Kirishi"], [[ChessBase]].</ref> In July, he tied for third place in the [[European Individual Chess Championship|European Individual Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Crowther|first1=Mark|title=TWIC 556: 6th European Individual Chess Championship|url=http://theweekinchess.com/html/twic556.html#2|website=Theweekinchess.com|access-date=1 June 2016|date=4 July 2005}}</ref>

== Career ==
{{expand section|date=March 2018}}

=== 2006 ===
[[File:Sergei Karjakin.jpg|thumb|Karjakin at the [[Tata Steel Chess Tournament|Corus Tournament]] in 2006]]
In 2006, Karjakin played for the first time in the [[Wijk aan Zee]] Corus A tournament, scoring 7/13 points (4 wins, 6 draws, 3 losses).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.chessbase.com/post/corus-r13-anand-and-topalov-win-wijk|title=Corus R13: Anand and Topalov win Wijk|date=30 January 2006|access-date=23 June 2016}}</ref> In the same year, he took part in the NH Chess Tournament in [[Amsterdam]]; it was a match between two teams, "Rising Stars" (made up of Karjakin, [[Magnus Carlsen]], [[Wang Hao (chess player)|Wang Hao]], [[Daniël Stellwagen|Daniel Stellwagen]], and [[Jan Smeets]]) and "Experience" ([[Alexander Beliavsky]], [[Artur Yusupov (chess player)|Artur Yusupov]], [[John Nunn]], and [[Ulf Andersson]]), held with the [[Scheveningen system]]. The former won by 28–22.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.chessbase.com/post/amsterdam-rising-stars-beat-experience-28-22|title=Amsterdam: Rising Stars beat Experience 28–22|date=30 August 2006|website=En.chessbase.com|access-date=23 June 2016}}</ref>

=== 2007 ===
Karjakin played again in the NH Chess Tournament for team "Rising Stars", which beat "Experience" by 26½–23½. He was the best player, having scored 7/10, and this earned him an invitation for the 2008 [[Amber chess tournament]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/nh-tournament-rising-stars-beat-experience-grandmasters-26-23-|title=NH Tournament: Rising Stars beat Experience Grandmasters 26½–23½|date=3 September 2007|website=En.chessbase.com|access-date=13 July 2016}}</ref>
In October 2007, Karjakin finished second behind Bu Xiangzhi in the [[blindfold chess]] World Cup in [[Bilbao]], scoring 17 points after five wins, two draws and three losses (the scoring system was 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/bu-xiangzhi-wins-blindfold-che-world-cup-in-bilbao|title=Bu Xiangzhi wins Blindfold Chess World Cup in Bilbao|date=21 October 2007|website=En.chessbase.com|access-date=13 July 2016}}</ref>

During the [[Chess World Cup 2007]], which served as a qualification tournament for the [[World Chess Championship 2010]], Karjakin reached the semi-finals, in which he lost to [[Alexei Shirov]]. On the January 2008 FIDE rating list, published just before Karjakin's 18th birthday, he passed the 2700 mark for the first time, often seen as the line that separates "elite" players from other grandmasters, with a new rating of 2732 and a world rank of 13.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

=== 2008–2010 ===
In July 2008, Karjakin convincingly won a [[rapid chess]] match against GM [[Nigel Short]] 7½–2½.<ref>[http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4755 Kiev Life Rapid: Karjakin beat Short 7½:2½], [[Chessbase]], 7 August 2008.</ref>

In February 2009, he won his first elite tournament in the A group of the [[Corus chess tournament]] in [[Wijk aan Zee]] (category XIX), with a score of 8/13.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

He won the ACP World Rapid Cup, which was conducted from 27 to 29{{nbs}}May 2010, defeating [[Dmitry Jakovenko]] in the final by 4–3.<ref>[http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6377 Karjakin wins ACP World Rapid Cup], [[Chessbase]], 29 May 2010.</ref>

=== 2011 ===
In June 2011, Karjakin took second place in the [[Bazna]] [[Kings Tournament]] in [[Mediaș]], [[Romania]], after sharing the lead with Magnus Carlsen in the final round, and after ranking was then determined by the tournament's official tie-break regulations. The final standings listed Carlsen followed by Karjakin, then [[Hikaru Nakamura]], [[Teimour Radjabov]], [[Vassily Ivanchuk]], and [[Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu]]. The results affected the world rankings, as Carlsen reclaimed first place, and Karjakin passed Kramnik for fourth place.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/carlsen-wins-bazna-kings-3957|title=Carlsen Wins Bazna Kings 2011|first=Ryan|last=Emmett|website=Chess.com|date=21 June 2011 |access-date=3 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Medias Kings Rd10: Carlsen-Karjakin draw, Carlsen wins Medias 2011|url=http://en.chessbase.com/post/medias-kings-rd10-carlsen-karjakin-draw-carlsen-wins-medias-2011|website=En.chessBase.com|date=21 June 2011|access-date=18 January 2015}}</ref>

In November, Karjakin shared third place with [[Vassily Ivanchuk]] and [[Ian Nepomniachtchi]] in the category 22 [[Tal Memorial]] in Moscow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/carlsen-catches-aronian-in-last-round-tal-memorial|title=Carlsen catches Aronian in last round, wins Tal Memorial on tiebreak|website=Chessvibes.com|access-date=25 November 2011|archive-date=27 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327183729/http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/carlsen-catches-aronian-in-last-round-tal-memorial|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2012: World Rapid Champion ===
[[File:SKarjakin12.jpg|thumb|Karjakin in 2012]]
In July 2012, Karjakin won the [[World Rapid Chess Championship]], a full point ahead of world number one Magnus Carlsen in [[Astana]], [[Kazakhstan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=8315 |title=Karjakin wins the Astana World Rapid Chess Championship|website=Chessbase.com|date=8 July 2012|access-date=9 July 2012}}</ref> In the same month, he also tied for first at [[Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting|Dortmund]] with [[Fabiano Caruana]] but came in second after tiebreak.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chessdom.com/fabiano-caruana-takes-the-trophy-in-dortmund/|title=Fabiano Caruana takes the trophy in Dortmund|website=Chessdom.com|date=22 July 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref> In November–December 2012, Karjakin shared first place with [[Wang Hao (chess player)|Wang Hao]] and [[Alexander Morozevich]] with 6½/9 in the FIDE Grand Prix event held in [[Tashkent, Uzbekistan]].

=== 2013–2014 ===
In May, he won the inaugural edition of [[Norway Chess]], scoring 6½/9 (+6−2=1), half a point ahead of Carlsen.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In March 2014, he finished second place in the FIDE Candidates Tournament held in [[Khanty-Mansiysk]], [[Russia]], behind [[Viswanathan Anand]]. His second at the event was former FIDE World Champion [[Rustam Kasimdzhanov]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://candidates2014.fide.com/not-svidler-s-day/|title=Not Svidler's day – Candidates Tournament 2014|website=Candidates2014.fide.com|access-date=31 March 2016|archive-date=21 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921105404/http://candidates2014.fide.com/not-svidler-s-day/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In June 2014, Karjakin won the [[Norway Chess]] tournament for the second year running. In this tournament, he competed against nine other players, six of which were rated in the FIDE top{{nbs}}10.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

=== 2015 ===
Karjakin won the [[Chess World Cup 2015]] after going down 0–2 to former World Cup Champion [[Peter Svidler]], eventually winning 6–4 in blitz tiebreaks. By finishing in the top two, Karjakin qualified, along with Svidler, for the 2016 Candidates Tournament.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In the same year, he took part in the Russia–China Challenge Match. The first part of the event took place from 29{{nbs}}July to 1{{nbs}}August in the [[Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island|Heixiazi Island]], where Karjakin sequentially knocked out four of the five members in the Chinese team: [[Wei Yi]], [[Ding Liren]], [[Ni Hua]] and [[Yu Yangyi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.chessbase.com/post/china-vs-russia-yu-yangyi-cannot-stop-karjakin|title=China vs Russia: Yu Yangyi cannot stop Karjakin|last=Fischer|first=Johannes|date=1 August 2015|website=En.chessbase.com|access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/karjakin-s-one-man-army-beats-china|title=Karjakin's one-man army beats China|last=McGourty|first=Colin|date=2 August 2015|website=Chess24.com|access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref> In the second half of the event, which was held in [[Harbin]] in December, he also defeated [[Wang Yue (chess player)|Wang Yue]], leading team Russia to victory.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ruchess.ru/en/news/all/karjakin_china_5_0/|title=Sergey Karjakin Finishes Off Team China|date=16 December 2016|newspaper=Russian Chess Federation|access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref>

=== 2016: Candidates winner and World Blitz Champion ===
In March 2016, Karjakin won the [[Candidates Tournament 2016|2016 Candidates Tournament]] in Moscow and qualified to play a match against Magnus Carlsen for the title of World Chess Champion. He defeated Fabiano Caruana in the last round of the tournament to finish with 8½ out of 14, one point ahead of Caruana and Anand.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

The [[World Chess Championship 2016]] took place 11–30{{nbs}}November 2016 in [[New York City|New York]] City. The format consisted of a maximum of 12 games played under a long classical time control, ending with possible speed chess tiebreak games and an [[Fast chess#Armageddon|Armageddon game]] to ensure a winner. Karjakin's record against Carlsen in classical games before the World Championship was: 1{{nbs}}win, 4{{nbs}}losses, and 16{{nbs}}draws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chess.pl?pid=52948&pid2=54535|title=Magnus Carlsen vs. Sergey Karjakin|website=Chessgames.com|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref> Karjakin won the eighth game,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/newsblog-wcc-carlsen-karjakin-2016-11-22|title=Karjakin wins with Black! Game 8 with notes by Fabiano Caruana|date=23 November 2016|newspaper=Chess News|language=en-US|access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://worldchess.com/article/574/|title=World Ch., Game 8: Karjakin Wins and Seizes Lead|last=McClain|first=Dylan, Loeb|date=22 November 2016|website=Worldchess.com|access-date=23 January 2017|archive-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206144419/https://worldchess.com/article/574/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/carlsen-karjakin-game-8-sergey-stuns-magnus|title=Carlsen-Karjakin, Game 8: Sergey stuns Magnus|last=McGourty|first=Colin|date=22 November 2016|website=Chess24.com|access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref> but lost the tenth, leaving the match tied 6–6. Carlsen defeated Karjakin 3–1 in the rapid tiebreaks and won the match.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/newsblog-wcc-carlsen-karjakin-2016-11-30-en|title=Carlsen wins tie-break and remains World Champion!|date=30 November 2016|website=En.chessbase.com|access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chessdom.com/magnus-carlsen-is-world-chess-champion-2016/|title=Magnus Carlsen is World Chess Champion 2016!|website=Chessdom.com|date=30 November 2016|access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref> This remains the last time Carlsen was defeated in a classical or rapid game in the finals of a World Chess Championship having gone unbeaten in the rapid tiebreaks with Karjakin and in his subsequent matches with Caruana in 2018 (both in the classical portion and in the rapid tiebreaks) and Nepomniachtchi in 2021.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Karjakin won the 2016 [[World Blitz Chess Championship]], which took place on 29 and 30{{nbs}}December 2016. Before the last round, Carlsen was leading with 16.0/20, while Karjakin was half a point behind. In the last round, Carlsen drew with [[Peter Leko]], while Karjakin won against [[Baadur Jobava]]. Thus, they both finished the tournament with 16½/21. The tie-break (the [[Elo rating system|Elo]] average of the opponents) was used to decide the winner, and as Karjakin's opponents had the better average, Karjakin was crowned 2016 World Blitz Champion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/world-blitz-championship-carlsen-and-karjakin-lead|title=Carlsen and Karjakin dominate Blitz World Championship|date=29 December 2016|website=En.chessbase.com}}</ref><ref name="2016blitz">{{Cite web|url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/sergey-karjakin-is-world-blitz-champion-2016|title=Sergey Karjakin is World Blitz Champion 2016|date=30 December 2016|website=En.chessbase.com}}</ref> The extent of Karjakin's and Carlsen's domination in the event was shown by the fact that their closest rivals, [[Daniil Dubov]], [[Hikaru Nakamura]] and [[Alexander Grischuk]] (three-time world blitz champion), were a full two points behind.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/9975-the-winners-of-fide-world-rapid-a-blitz-championships.html |title=The winners of FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships |website=FIDE |date=26 December 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102183505/https://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/9975-the-winners-of-fide-world-rapid-a-blitz-championships.html |archive-date=2 January 2017}}</ref>

=== 2017–2018 ===
[[File:Sergey Karyakin 05.jpg|thumb|Sergey Karjakin in [[Moscow]] in 2017]]
In December, he participated in the [[London Chess Classic#2017 Classic: 1–11 December|London Chess Classic]], placing eighth with a score of 3½/9.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In January, Karjakin competed in the [[Tata Steel Chess Tournament#2018|Tata Steel Masters]]. He placed seventh, scoring 7½/13 (+2−0=11).{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In March, he competed in the [[Candidates Tournament 2018]]. He finished third with 8/14 (+4−2=8), one point behind the winner Caruana.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In April, he participated in the [[Shamkir Chess#2018|fifth edition]] of [[Shamkir Chess]], finishing third with a score of 5/9 (+1−0=8).<ref>{{cite web|url =http://shamkirchess.com/content/5|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160528164617/http://www.shamkirchess.com/content/5|url-status =usurped|archive-date =28 May 2016|title =Results: Cross Table|publisher =Shamkir Chess|author =|date =28 April 2018}}</ref>

From 28 May to 7 June, he competed in the [[Norway Chess#2018|sixth edition]] of Norway Chess, finishing last with 3/8 (+1−3=4).<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.chess.com/news/view/caruana-wins-altibox-norway-chess-6814|title =Caruana Wins Norway Chess|first =Peter|last =Doggers|publisher =Chess.com|date =7 June 2018}}</ref>

=== 2019–2020 ===
In March 2019, Karjakin competed as part of the Russian team at the World Team Championship in [[Astana]], [[Kazakhstan]]. He was defeated by the Kazakh grandmaster Rinat Dzhumabaev.<ref>{{cite web
| url=https://kazchess.kz/news/1704649129984x854000132181255200
| title=Ринат Джумабаев одержал сенсационную победу над Сергеем Карякиным
| website=kazchess.kz
| date=9 March 2019
| access-date=7 May 2024}}</ref> Despite this, the Russian team took first place in the tournament.<ref>{{cite web
| url=https://chesswood.ru/news/2019/rossiyane-pobedili-na-komandnom-chempionate-mira-v-astane.html?ysclid=lvvmj0p98z270424310
| title=Россияне победили на командном чемпионате мира 2019 в Астане
| website=chesswood.ru
| date=15 March 2019
| access-date=7 May 2024}}</ref>

From 31 March to 9 April, he competed in [[Shamkir Chess|Shamkir Chess 2019]]. He placed in a tie for second, with 5{{nbs}}points out of{{nbs}}9.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

From 5 to 16 December 2020, Karjakin competed in the 73rd [[Russian Chess Championship]]. He finished with a score of 7/11, which earned him second place behind winner Ian Nepomniachtchi.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

=== 2021 ===
In July–August 2021, Karjakin competed in the [[Chess World Cup 2021]]. In round five, Karjakin defeated French GM [[Maxime Vachier-Lagrave]] in the rapid tiebreaker after drawing the classical games. He then knocked out US GM [[Sam Shankland]] in the quarterfinals and eliminated Russian GM [[Vladimir Fedoseev]] in the semifinals to qualify for the [[Candidates Tournament 2022]]. Eventually, Karjakin lost to Polish GM [[Jan-Krzysztof Duda]] in the finals to finish second.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://worldcup-results.fide.com/rounds/8 |title=Round 8 |last= |first= |date=5 August 2021 |website=Worldcup-results.fide.com |access-date=10 August 2021 |quote= |archive-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522190646/https://worldcup-results.fide.com/rounds/8 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Karjakin criticised [[Daniil Dubov]] for serving as a second for Magnus Carlsen in the [[World Chess Championship 2021]] against [[Ian Nepomniachtchi]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEjEZuWatUg chess24: Magnus Carlsen reveals his World Chess Championship team!]</ref> This was also criticised by [[Sergei Shipov]], who along with Karjakin said that Dubov should not have helped a non-Russian in a match against a fellow Russian. Dubov responded that he considered it to be a match between two individuals and counter-argued that working with Carlsen would improve his chess and hence help the Russian team.<ref>[https://chess24.com/en/read/news/dubov-hits-back-at-accusations-of-betrayal Dubov hits back at accusations of betrayal], [[chess24.com]], 12 December 2021.</ref>

From 26–28 December 2021, Karjakin participated in the 2021 FIDE World Rapid Championship, where he ended up in 11th place with 9/13 points after tiebreaks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/world-rapid-championship-2021|title=FIDE World Rapid Championship 2021|website=Chess24.com|access-date=3 February 2022|archive-date=25 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325150029/https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/world-rapid-championship-2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2022–present ===
In January 2022, he competed in the [[Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022]], where he finished tied for fifth with a score of 7/13.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tatasteelchess.com/standings-2/standings/|title=Standings – Tata Steel Chess Tournament|website=Tatasteelchess.com|access-date=3 February 2022|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524131322/https://tatasteelchess.com/standings-2/standings/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Controversy arose among spectators after the tenth round when Karjakin and Carlsen drew by three-fold repetition after 16{{nbs}}moves in 20{{nbs}}minutes, with Karjakin's deciding to enter a drawn line of the [[Berlin Defence (chess)|Berlin Defence]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Tata Steel Chess 2022 R10: Black Is OK|url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/tata-steel-chess-2022-round-10|website=[[Chess.com]]|date=27 January 2022 }}</ref> After the game, Karjakin tweeted "#drawmagnus #saynoto2900".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SergeyKaryakin/status/1486330741223002117|title=#drawmagnus #saynoto2900|website=Twitter.com|access-date=3 February 2022}}</ref>

==== Suspension ====
In February 2022, the Crimea-born Karjakin, who had transferred from the Ukrainian Chess Federation to the Russian Chess Federation in 2009, came out in vocal support of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. This led FIDE to refer him (as well as fellow Grandmaster [[Sergei Shipov]]) to the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission.<ref>{{cite news|title=FIDE Council condemns Russia's military action|url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/fide-council-condemns-russia-military-action|website=[[ChessBase]]|date=28 February 2022 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news|title=Russia and Belarus banned from holding world chess events, Karjakin to face ethics case|url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/fide-bans-russia-from-holding-chess-events|website=[[Chess24]]|date=28 February 2022 }}</ref> While the investigation was ongoing, several chess tournaments and platforms banned Karjakin: the [[Grand Chess Tour]] did so in early March, saying "the GCT Board has determined that Grandmaster Sergey Karjakin is banned from all upcoming and future GCT events due to his recent hostile comments on social media supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine",<ref>[https://chess24.com/en/read/news/grand-chess-tour-bans-sergey-karjakin Grand Chess Tour joins organisers in Sergey Karjakin ban], [[chess24.com]], 5 March 2022.</ref> while [[Chess.com]] banned him from participating in all prize tournaments that same month.<ref>{{cite web|title=Is GM Sergey Karjakin allowed to play on Chess.com events?|url=https://www.chess.com/blog/CHESScom/on-the-invasion-of-ukraine#karjakin|website=[[Chess.com]]|date=26 February 2022 }}</ref>

In March 2022, the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission banned him from playing any FIDE-rated events for six months. The [[Chess Federation of Russia|Russian Chess Federation]] filed an appeal, which was denied.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sergey Karjakin's appeal dismissed |url=https://www.fide.com/news/1736 |publisher=FIDE |date=6 May 2022}}</ref><ref name="chess24may6">[https://chess24.com/en/read/news/fide-dismisses-sergey-karjakin-s-appeal FIDE dismisses Sergey Karjakin's appeal], [[chess24]], 6 May 2022</ref> The decision meant that Karjakin was not able to participate in the [[Candidates Tournament 2022]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Russian chess player suspended over Ukraine remarks |url=https://www.the42.ie/top-russian-chess-player-suspended-over-ukraine-remarks-5717382-Mar2022/ |website=The42.ie |access-date=21 March 2022 |date=21 March 2022}}</ref> In a post to his [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]] channel, Karjakin denounced FIDE for conflating sports with politics. He further declared that he considers himself a patriot first and a chess player second, and that he did not regret anything.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://t.me/karjakinchess/58|title=Telegram: Contact @karjakinchess|date=21 March 2022}}</ref> His public approval of the invasion led to Russian President Vladimir Putin awarding him a [[Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland"]] in June 2022.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chess-Putin gives award to grandmaster banned for backing Ukraine invasion|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/chess-putin-gives-award-grandmaster-banned-backing-ukraine-invasion-2022-06-02/|website=[[Reuters]]|date=2 June 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Putin gives award to banned grandmaster Karjakin for backing Ukraine invasion|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/chess/putin-gives-award-to-banned-karjakin-russia-ukraine-chess/article38499980.ece|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=2 June 2022 }}</ref>

After the suspension ended in September 2022, Karjakin continued a self-imposed "ban" by refusing to participate in any tournament where he could not play under the Russian flag.{{efn|FIDE had instituted a ban on Russian and Belarusian flags in all FIDE-rated events in response to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="ban_flag">[https://www.chess.com/news/view/2022-fide-council-ukraine-belarus-russia FIDE Condemns Military Action; Takes Measures Against Russia, Belarus], [[chess.com]], 28 February 2022</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/march-fide-ratings-gukesh-aronian-climb-karjakin-out|title=March 2023 FIDE Ratings: Gukesh & Aronian rise, Karjakin out|publisher=chess24|date=1 March 2023}}</ref> Notably, Karjakin opted out of playing at the [[Chess World Cup 2023|2023 Chess World Cup]] despite his eligibility to play at the event due to rating, reiterating his disapproval for "the upcoming tournament [where] I can't represent my country, play under my (country's) flag, and if I successfully perform, I will not hear my country's national anthem."<ref name=2023cwc/>

Since January 2022, Karjakin has ({{as of|November 2024|lc=y}}) only played two classical FIDE-rated games, at the Russian Team Championship in May 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ratings.fide.com/profile/14109603/calculations|title=FIDE rating calculation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://ratings.fide.com/calculations.phtml?id_number=14109603&period=2023-06-01&rating=0 |title=FIDE rating calculation}}</ref>

== Playing style ==
Karjakin is known for his defensive skills, which has earned him an informal nickname as Russia's "Minister of Defense".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chess-teacher.com/will-karjakin-become-russia-minister-of-defense/|title=Will Karjakin become Russia's Minister of Defense?|website=Chess-teacher.com}}</ref> He successfully defended inferior positions against World Champion Magnus Carlsen – himself known for grinding out wins from slightly superior positions – in the [[World Chess Championship 2016]], especially games 3 and 4. Karjakin has no qualms about entering an endgame with a small disadvantage if he deems it his best option<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.chessbase.com/post/norway-chess-round-8-carlsen-defeats-karjakin|title=Norway Chess Round 8: Carlsen defeats Karjakin|website=En.chessbase.com|date=15 June 2017}}</ref> as opposed to playing for complications. He is, however, also capable of aggressive play if the position demands it, such as in a 30-move victory over [[Veselin Topalov]] at the Gashimov Memorial 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.chessbase.com/post/gashimov-memorial-2017-crushing-wins|title=Gashimov Memorial 2017: Crushing wins|website=En.chessbase.com|date=26 April 2017}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Karjakin is an [[ethnic Russian]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/29/the-guardian-view-on-world-chess-rivalries-no-return-to-the-cold-war|title=The Guardian view on world chess rivalries: no return to the cold war &#124; Editorial|date=29 November 2016|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="Chessbase">{{cite web|url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/fide-council-condemns-russia-military-action|title=FIDE Council condemns Russia's military action|publisher=Chessbase|date=28 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="chess24.com">{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Leon |title=Russia and Belarus banned from holding world chess events, Karjakin to face ethics case |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/fide-bans-russia-from-holding-chess-events |access-date=1 March 2022 |work=[[chess24.com]] |date=27 February 2022}}</ref>
On 25 July 2009, by the [[decree of the President of Russia]] [[Dmitry Medvedev]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://document.kremlin.ru/doc.asp?ID=053824 |title=Президент России |date=4 January 2012 |website= |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104083640/http://document.kremlin.ru/doc.asp?ID=053824 |archive-date=4 January 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Karjakin adopted Russian citizenship.<ref>[http://www.chess.com/news/karjakin-to-play-for-russia-2104 Karjakin to Play for Russia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803094226/https://www.chess.com/news/karjakin-to-play-for-russia-2104 |date=3 August 2016 }}, Chess.com, 1 August 2009</ref><ref>[https://www.chessdom.com/news-2009/sergey-karjakin-changes-chess-federation Sergey Karjakin moves to Moscow,changes to Russian chess federation], Chessdom.com. Retrieved on 13 December 2021.</ref> Later that year he [[List of nationality transfers in chess|transferred chess federations]] from Ukraine to Russia.<ref>[https://ratings.fide.com/fedchange.phtml?year=2009 Player transfers in 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223134032/https://ratings.fide.com/fedchange.phtml?year=2009 |date=23 December 2015 }}. FIDE.</ref> He has lived in Moscow since 2009.<ref name=KRFE30316>[http://www.rferl.mobi/a/russia-karjakin-chess-world-title-putin/27644255.html "Russia's Patriotic Chess Star From Crimea Sets His Sights On World Title"]. [[Radio Free Europe]]. (30 March 2016)</ref>

In 2013 he graduated from the [[Russian State Social University]] with a degree in [[social pedagogy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chesswood.ru/biography/sergey-karjakin.html|script-title=ru:Сергей Карякин: "Я без шахмат жить не могу"|trans-title=Sergey Karjakin: "I can't live without chess"|website=Chesswood.ru|date=15 February 2015|access-date=3 April 2016|language=ru}}</ref>

Karjakin, an [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox Christian]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crestbook.com/?q=node/1125|title=KC-конференция с Сергеем Карякиным|website=Crestbook.com|date=13 January 2010|access-date=28 February 2022|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512103210/https://www.crestbook.com/?q=node%2F1125}}</ref> married Galiya Kamalova, secretary of the Moscow chess federation, in May 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://newsaboutchess.com/page.php?al=sergey-karjakin-married |title=News About Chess – Sergey Karjakin married |date=9 August 2014 |website= |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809065638/http://newsaboutchess.com/page.php?al=sergey-karjakin-married |archive-date=9 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> They have two sons, one born in 2015 and the other born in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rsport.ria.ru/chess/20170731/1123601519.html |title=Второй сын родился в семье российского шахматиста Сергея Карякина |date=31 July 2017 |website=Rsport.ria.ru|access-date=5 March 2021}}</ref> He was previously married since 2009 to Ukrainian chess player [[Kateryna Dolzhykova]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://players.chessdom.com/sergey-karjakin/karjakin-dolzhikova|title=Sergey Karjakin and Kateryna Dolzhikova get married|website=Players.chessdom.com|access-date=26 July 2009|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011125952/http://players.chessdom.com/sergey-karjakin/karjakin-dolzhikova|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Vladimir Putin and Sergey Karjakin (2017-07-06) 01.jpg|thumb|290px|Karjakin (right) with Vladimir Putin in 2017]]

In January 2024, Karjakin was involved in a very serious motor vehicle accident, being the passenger of the car that flipped multiple times. He suffered rib fractures. However, his injuries were not life-threatening.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsunrolled.com/sports/338155.html|title=Chess Player Karyakin Said That He Had A Terrible Accident In The SVO Area And Broke His Ribs.|date=2 January 2024}}</ref> Later that year, in February 2024, Karjakin visited the ruins of the Ukrainian town [[Avdiivka]], which had [[Battle of Avdiivka (2023–2024)|recently been occupied by Russian forces]].<ref name="chess24.com"/> He took selfies there in military gear.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Спорт |first=РИА Новости |date=29 February 2024 |title=Шахматист Карякин чуть не погиб после атаки дрона-камикадзе в Авдеевке |url=https://rsport.ria.ru/20240229/karyakin-1930161158.html |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=РИА Новости Спорт |language=ru}}</ref>

== Political views ==
Karjakin is known for his strong support for [[Vladimir Putin]].

In 2022, he publicly endorsed the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name=KRFE30316/><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=García |first=Leontxo |date=30 December 2023 |title=The incredible case of Russian chess player Khismatullin, who is 'forgiven' by FIDE for supporting the invasion of Ukraine |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-12-30/the-incredible-case-of-russian-chess-player-khismatullin-who-is-forgiven-by-fide-for-supporting-the-invasion-of-ukraine.html |access-date=3 January 2024 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en-us}}</ref>

== Sanctions ==
In 2022, Karjakin was sanctioned by [[Ukraine]] for his public endorsement and approval of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/7262022-44481 | title=УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №726/2022 — Офіційне інтернет-представництво Президента України | newspaper=Офіційне Інтернет-Представництво Президента України }}</ref>

Karjakin was stripped of his Ukrainian state awards on 19 January 2025 by a decree of [[Ukrainian President]] [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Zelenskyy signed a decree on new sanctions of the National Security and Defense Council: in the "black list" Boyko, Shufrich and Murayev|url=https://lb.ua/news/2025/01/19/656047_zelenskiy_pidpisav_ukaz_pro_novi.html|work=[[LB.ua]]|date=19 January 2025|access-date=19 January 2025|language=Ukrainian}}<br>{{cite news |title=Zelensky enacts NSDC decision on sanctions|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3950293-zelensky-enacts-nsdc-decision-on-sanctions-against-russian-propagandists.html|work=[[Ukrinform]]|date=19 January 2025|access-date=19 January 2025|language=English}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Sergey Karjakin}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{FIDE}}
* {{Chessgames.com player|54535}}
* {{365Chess.com player|Sergey_Karjakin}}
* {{Chess.com player|sergey-karjakin|member=SergeyKarjakin}}
* {{OlimpBase player|isk2qyyg}}
* [http://www.onlinechesslessons.net/2011/08/10/serjey-karjakin-vs-alexandra-interview Interview with game review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530081847/http://www.onlinechesslessons.net/2011/08/10/serjey-karjakin-vs-alexandra-interview/ |date=30 May 2014 }}

{{S-start}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{succession box
| title= [[List of youngest grandmasters|Youngest chess grandmaster ever]]
| years= 2002–2021
| before= [[Bu Xiangzhi]]
| after= [[Abhimanyu Mishra]]
}}
{{succession box
| title= [[World Rapid Chess Championship|World Rapid Chess Champion]]
| years= 2012
| before= [[Gata Kamsky]]
| after= [[Shakhriyar Mamedyarov]]
}}
{{succession box
| title= [[World Blitz Chess Championship|World Blitz Chess Champion]]
| years= 2016
| before= [[Alexander Grischuk]]
| after= [[Magnus Carlsen]]
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Chess World Cups}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Karjakin, Sergey}}
[[Category:1990 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Chess Grandmasters]]
[[Category:21st-century Russian chess players]]
[[Category:21st-century Russian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Ukrainian chess players]]
[[Category:Ukrainian people of Russian descent]]
[[Category:World Youth Chess Champions]]
[[Category:Chess Olympiad competitors]]
[[Category:Ukrainian emigrants to Russia]]
[[Category:Naturalized citizens of Russia]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Simferopol]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodox Christians from Russia]]
[[Category:Russian State Social University alumni]]
[[Category:Anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Russia]]
[[Category:United Russia politicians]]
[[Category:Members of the Federation Council of Russia (after 2000)]]