Victory for Israeli Chess Master at Deaf World Championship

In a triumph for Israeli chess, Grandmaster Yehuda Gruenfeld clinched the title of World Champion for the Deaf in Belgrade on Sunday. Gruenfeld's victory is a significant achievement, especially in light of recent events.

“The importance of the win intensified in light of October 7 and therefore the desire to put Israel on the map,” said Gruenfeld. “The atmosphere here is good, Israelis are treated well. There are no manifestations of antisemitism in Belgrade, unlike other places in Western Europe,” he added.

The competition featured 38 participants from 20 countries, with Gruenfeld securing nine points over 11 rounds, finishing the tournament undefeated.

“This is a huge and impressive achievement by all accounts that continues to place the Israeli chess players at the top of the world. The achievement is intensified in a challenging and complex period that the State of Israel has experienced since October 7,” said Dr. Tzvika Barkai, chairman of the Israel Chess Federation.

Born in Poland, Gruenfeld lost his hearing at six months old due to antibiotic treatment. In 1957, his family immigrated to Israel as part of the “Gomulka Aliyah,” a wave of Jewish immigration from Poland's Communist regime, allowing around 50,000 Jews to move to Israel.

The victory holds particular significance for the 68-year-old Grandmaster, who couldn't defend his title at the Winter Olympics for the Deaf in Turkey this March due to anti-war demonstrations that prompted Israel's National Security Council to advise Israelis to leave the country. Similarly, in May, Israeli officials barred a wrestling delegation from competing in an Olympic-qualifying tournament in Istanbul, impacting the team's hopes for the Paris Olympics.

“Yehuda’s enormous achievement only proves that we have world-class chess players here. Congratulations to Yehuda and the rest of the Israelis participating in the World Championship. The achievement is entirely dedicated to the State of Israel and the abductees who are in Gaza and our integration with them every moment,” said Shawn Levitan, chairman of the Israel Chess Association’s Handicap Committee.

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