Sergey Karjakin

Sergey Karjakin is a Russian professional chess player, born on January 12, 1990, in Simferopol, Ukraine. He gained recognition being the youngest chess grandmaster in the world at the age of 12. Karjakin began his professional career in Ukraine before moving to Russia in 2009, where he became a key player in the national team.

Karjakin is known for his excellent defensive skills, strategic thinking, and tenacity. He has won numerous individual awards in chess and holds multiple records such as the youngest player to achieve the grandmaster title.

Off the board, Karjakin is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts, making significant charitable contributions, and inspiring millions worldwide.

Early Career

• Karjakin was born and raised in Ukraine and started playing chess at the age of five. He achieved the grandmaster title in 2002, making him the youngest grandmaster in history.

Move to Russia

• In 2009, Karjakin moved to Russia, where he further developed his skills and achieved numerous victories, including the World Rapid Chess Championship in 2012 and the World Blitz Chess Championship in 2016.

World Chess Championship 2016

• Karjakin faced Magnus Carlsen in the World Chess Championship 2016. Although he lost the match, his performance was highly praised, and he gained widespread recognition for his defensive skills.

Russian National Team

• Karjakin has represented the Russian National Team in multiple Chess Olympiads, helping the team win gold in 2009 and 2010.
• He also won individual gold medals in the Chess Olympiad in 2010 and 2014.

• Style: Known for his defensive skills, strategic thinking, and tenacity. Karjakin is celebrated for his ability to withstand pressure and turn around difficult positions.

• Family: Karjakin is married and has two children. His wife, Galina, is a chess enthusiast and often supports him at tournaments.
• Philanthropy: Karjakin has taken part in various charitable activities and has made significant contributions to children's educational programs and disaster relief efforts.

• Sergey Karjakin is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his work ethic, determination, and longevity in professional chess. His impact on the game and his status as a role model extend beyond the chessboard, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Youngest Chess Grandmaster:

• Achieved the grandmaster title at the age of 12 years and 7 months

World Rapid Chess Champion:

• Winner in 2012

World Blitz Chess Champion:

• Winner in 2016

Books

• Plisetsky, D., Voronkov, S. (2007) Sergey Karjakin: The youngest grandmaster in chess history. Moscow: Russian Chess House.

Websites

• FIDE: Information about Sergey Karjakin’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fide.com
• Chess.com: Details about Karjakin’s career and performance. Available at: https://www.chess.com

Articles

• ChessBase: Sergey Karjakin: Career in numbers. Available at: https://en.chessbase.com
• The Guardian: Sergey Karjakin’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/sergey-karjakin

Interviews and Documentaries

• Chess24: Various interviews and features on Sergey Karjakin, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.chess24.com