Roman Dehtiarov has made history by becoming the first player to win the European Chess Championship without holding the title of Grandmaster. His victory was confirmed at the 2026 continental championship held in Katowice, Poland.
Entering the tournament with a starting rating of 126 out of over 500 participants, Dehtiarov’s achievement is notable, particularly as he has yet to earn the Grandmaster title.
Dehtiarov’s performance began with three consecutive victories. He then drew a match against Azerbaijan’s Nijat Abasov, followed by his only loss in the tournament to Turkey’s Isik Can.
In the subsequent five matches, the Ukrainian secured four wins, placing him among the leaders heading into the final round. His last opponent was 30-year-old David Giharo from Spain.
Ultimately, Dehtiarov concluded the championship with a total of nine points, surpassing all competitors and securing his first international title. Abasov, his closest rival, finished with 8.5 points.
This championship marks a significant milestone, as Dehtiarov is the first player in history to win the European Championship without being a Grandmaster. Furthermore, he is the lowest-rated player to achieve this title.
As a result of the 2026 European Championship, the top 20 players have qualified for the FIDE World Cup. In addition to Dehtiarov, two other Ukrainians, Anton Korobov and Vasyl Ivanchuk, also secured spots in the top 20.
Statistically, Dehtiarov’s performance was rated at 2781 Elo points, placing him fourth in the world rankings among all chess players.
Roman Dehtiarov has made history by winning the European Chess Championship without being a Grandmaster, achieving a remarkable performance in Katowice, Poland. His victory not only sets a precedent but also qualifies him and two other Ukrainians for the upcoming FIDE World Cup.