MOSCOW, January 3 12th world champion Anatoly Karpov explained the decision of Polish grandmaster Jan-Krzysztof Duda not to shake hands with Russian Denis Khismatullin before the match at the World Rapid Chess Championship.
The scandalous episode became known only after a publication on social networks by CT24 journalist Andreas Papadopoulos. Before the start of the meeting, the Russian extended his hand to the Polish chess player, but he gestured that he would not show a sign of greeting.
“»I can’t say anything good about this act. I didn’t expect this from Duda, whom I know, who is a good chess player and a strong grandmaster. Did Khismatullin do the right thing by not filing a protest? Maybe it was right to pass by and not pay attention to it, so as not to stir up a scandal. I think that, most likely, Duda did not do it on his own initiative this. Probably, his sponsors pushed him to do this. Polish chess players probably have sponsors who send them to the World Championship,” Sport-Express quotes Karpov as saying.
The match between Duda and Khismatullin ended in a draw. According to the competition regulations, the Pole could have been disqualified for violating the rules, but the Russian grandmaster did not file a complaint.