Matryoshka Instead of Flag: How Valentina Gunina Made a Statement at the World Chess Championship

Russian chess player Valentina Gunina found an unconventional way to navigate the ban on national symbols at the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship. As reported by TASS, the grandmaster will compete wearing a sweater decorated with a traditional matryoshka doll.

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Creative Response to Symbol Restrictions

According to Gunina, the idea to wear the matryoshka-themed sweater was her own. The garment itself was a gift from a friend, and its design was carefully chosen to avoid violating tournament regulations.

"There is no Russian flag, but at least there will be a matryoshka. The International Chess Federation said that everything complies with the dress code.”

Gunina emphasized that officials from the International Chess Federation confirmed the outfit met all formal requirements, allowing her to express cultural identity without breaching competition rules.

World Championship in Neutral Status

The World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship is being held in Doha from December 26 to December 30. Russian players are taking part in the tournament under a neutral status, without the use of the national flag or anthem.

Earlier, on December 14, the General Assembly of the International Chess Federation postponed a decision on the full reinstatement of Russian players with national symbols. During the vote, 61 delegates supported allowing Russian athletes to compete with their flag and anthem, while 51 voted against.

As a result, restrictions remain in place, prompting individual players to seek symbolic yet permissible ways to assert their identity within the rules.