Sergey Karjakin

Sergey Karjakik (2016)

Sergey Alexandrovich Karjakin (Russian: Серге́й Алекса́ндрович Каря́кин, born 12 January 1990 in Simferopol, Ukraine, Soviet Union) is a Russian chess grandmaster, formerly representing Ukraine. 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.

Quotes

• Many people ask if I regret my public support of the special operation? After all, I have already lost invitations to Western tournaments and may lose an invitation to the candidates tournament. My answer is simple. I am on the side of Russia and my President. No matter what happens, I will support my country in any situation without thinking for a second!
  • "Sergey Karjakin Twitter Feed Praising Putin, Russia Prompts Chess Ban", Newsweek, 21 March 2022

• I wanted to say it was a good fake, but no. It was a bad fake.
  • Said about pictures and video from the Bucha massacre, in Tweet, 5 April 2022

Quotes about Karjakin

• Sergey Karjakin is found guilty of breach of article 2.2.10 of the FIDE Code of Ethics, and is sanctioned to a worldwide ban of six months from participating as a player in any FIDE rated chess competition, taking effect from the date of this decision, 21 March 2022.
  • The International Chess Federation (FIDE), in "FIDE Ethics imposes a six-month ban on Karjakin", FIDE, 21 March 2022

• I think Sergey went over the top in quite a few of his statements. He’s definitely entitled to an opinion, but some of his tweets were in very poor taste.
  • Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, elite chess player, quoted in "Berlin GP: Eight draws, players share their opinion on Karjakin’s ban", Chessbase, March 24 2022

• I saw what he’s been writing on Twitter — I have nothing to say against Sergey, but I think he’s lost his mind in the last couple of months. [...] This is not just about a political opinion, but it is about the killing of innocent civilians, innocent Ukrainians.
  • Wesley So, elite chess player, quoted in "Berlin GP: Eight draws, players share their opinion on Karjakin’s ban", Chessbase, March 24 2022

• A lot of Russians who previously supported Putin openly or did not say anything about it, chose to turn around and are now saying that Putin went too far. Karjakin has chosen the other way. He has increased his support for Putin. This type of attitude cannot be accepted.
  • Magnus Carlsen, World Chess Champion, quoted in "Carlsen on Karjakin: 'These types of attitudes can't be accepted'", Chess24, 5 April 2022