Interview with GM Roman Dehtiarov - European Chess Champion 2026

1) Dear Roman (aka RomanDeg2008 on Lichess), warmest congratulations on winning the European Individual Chess Championship 2026 in Katowice! You entered the tournament as the 126th seed, rated 2452, and finished with 9 out of 11 points and a performance of 2781 – becoming the first non-GM ever to win the title. What went through your mind when you realised you had won?

At first, it was hard to realize what happened. Then I felt happiness and joy.

2) The decisive moment came in the last round, when you defeated GM David Anton Guijarro on board one. Five players were tied for the lead going into that round. How did you approach that game – was it all-or-nothing from the first move?

I tried to concentrate on the game and not pay much attention to the tournament standings. Fortunately, at this point, I had already secured my spot in the World Cup, so I felt less pressure regarding the result.

Sensational performance by Roman during the European Chess Championship in Katowice.

3) Looking back at your eleven games in Katowice: were there one or two moments in the tournament where you felt things could have gone a completely different way?

Of course every game was important, but I think the most important moment happened in the game against Alan Pichot in round 6. It was the game that followed my only loss, so it was not easy to play. In the middlegame I wasn’t sure how I should handle the position so I started repeating moves, but my opponent decided to continue the game, and in the complications that followed, I managed to come out on top. If he had accepted the repetition and the game ended in a draw, the tournament could have gone a completely different way.

4) As a result of your victory you were awarded the Grandmaster title directly, without the usual process of norms and rating thresholds. How does it feel to become a GM in such a dramatic fashion?

Earning the GM title was my main goal for this year, and I’m glad I’ve already achieved it and that I don’t need to think about where I can get norms.

5) Throughout the tournament you defeated several Grandmasters rated well above you. What is your mindset when you sit down against an opponent who is rated 200 or 300 points higher?

I tried not to pay much attention to the rating of my opponents and just play my best chess.

Photo: European Chess Union, Rafal Oleksiewicz

6) How did you prepare for the tournament, both in terms of chess preparation and practically? Katowice is a long journey, and eleven rounds over two weeks is a real test of stamina.

A month ago, I played two tournaments: in Austria (Graz Open 2026) and Hungary (Budapest Spring Festival 2026). The tournaments were held only a couple of days apart, so it was a great practice for my stamina. During the month before the championship I focused more on opening preparation.

7) You are from Kharkiv, a city that has been under constant threat since the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022. In 2022 GM Pavel Eljanov offered to help your family relocate abroad, but you chose to stay. How has living through the war shaped you as a person and as a chess player?

I was only 13 years old when the war started, so it became a part of my life. I’m just trying to work, but of course I love my city very much and I want it all to end – so that people could just live.

8) Ukraine has a tremendous chess tradition. Does this heritage feel like an inspiration or a pressure? And how are conditions for young players in Ukraine right now, given the circumstances of the war?

In my opinion, modern chess players don’t really look back at the past, so I don’t feel any pressure from the great Ukrainian chess players, especially since we played in the same tournaments with the most prominent. As for the circumstances, of course I really want peace in my country.

9) In your own view, is this European Championship title your biggest achievement so far, or are there earlier results you are especially proud of?

As of today this is of course my biggest achievement, but I would also like to highlight the Ukrainian U18 Chess Championship in 2022 and the Ukrainian Chess Championship in 2024. Both tournaments were very important for the development of my career.

Podium of the European Chess Championship 2026 (Photo: European Chess Union, Rafal Oleksiewicz)

10) What would you say is your biggest strength on the chessboard – and where do you still see room for improvement?

I would pick my attacking abilities as my biggest strength, but I think there is still room for improvement in every aspect of chess.

11) You suffered one loss in the tournament, in round five. How did you cope with that setback and turn the tournament around so convincingly afterwards?

This game was quite painful because I mixed up my moves in the opening and as a result I lost. Of course I was very upset, so I just tried to forget what happened and prepare for the next game.

12) Which chess players, past or present, do you admire the most?

Kasparov, Ivanchuk, Tal, Fischer, Anand, Carlsen.

13) Is there a famous chess game that made a lasting impression on you while you were growing up?

I would like to mention two games: Karpov–Kasparov, 16th game of their second match:

and of course Kasparov–Topalov in 1999 at the tournament in Wijk aan Zee:

14) What do you enjoy outside of chess?

Outside of chess, I really like to watch tennis.

15) Finally, what advice would you give our readers who want to make serious improvements in ...

Opening: Focus not only on theory, but also on deep study of the key ideas of the opening you are trying to master.
Middlegame: Analyze the games of great players and solve puzzles.
Endgame: Study theoretical positions and books.

Note that this article was first published originally in German in the June 2026 issue of the German chess magazine Rochade Europa).