2024 Diving Chess WC: Round 3: Michal Mazurkiewicz vs Rajko Vujatovic

The reigning world champion, Michal Mazurkiewicz from Poland, faced stiff competition in a thrilling third-round match against chess master Rajko Vujatovic. Michal was nearly defeated but managed to hold on for a draw in a challenging knight and pawn endgame after 61 moves.
For those unfamiliar with Diving Chess, the rules are simple but demanding. Players take turns diving underwater to make a move on a submerged chessboard, using magnetized and weighted pieces to keep everything in place. The catch? You must hold your breath while thinking underwater and make a legal move before resurfacing. Once you come up for air, it’s your opponent’s turn to dive. The pressure to think quickly underwater adds an entirely new dimension to the game, combining strategy with endurance and precision. Additionally, players often find it challenging to sink and control their bodies underwater, adding yet another layer of difficulty.