Seventy-year-old Israeli chess grandmaster Yehuda Greenfeld, the most decorated deaf chess player in the world, took first place at the World Deaf Chess Championship in Spain this month, winning two gold medals.
Greenfeld’s position has secured him a spot at the 2027 Deaflympics in Austria.
During the tournament, Greenfeld, along with fellow players Saar Yanko and bronze medalist Evgeny Shvetsyuk, competed alongside hundreds of chess players from 43 countries, though several countries withdrew from the event due to Israel’s participation.
Greenfeld’s record includes multiple European and world championship titles, and his name has become synonymous with chess for deaf athletes worldwide.
Before the tournament, Greenfeld expressed hope that the Israeli delegation’s presence in Spain, given the current climate, would help improve relations between the two countries and Europe in General.
“Yehuda is a symbol of willpower, perseverance, and inspiring Israeli representation,” said Jimmy Hatzbani, chairman of the Israel Deaf Sports Association. “Even at 70, he is coming to compete against the best in the world and is not afraid of any opponent.”
