Hungarian Chess Federation Welcomes Back Richard Rapport and Peter Leko for Chess Olympiad

In a surprising turn of events, the Hungarian Chess Federation has announced that GM Richard Rapport will return to play for his native country just two years after transferring to Romania. The news comes as a significant boost for Hungary, with the Chess Olympiad set to begin in Budapest in September.

Rapport, who had previously fallen out with the Hungarian federation and switched to play for Romania in 2022, expressed his happiness at the opportunity to return. The 28-year-old grandmaster, known for his creative and unorthodox playing style, has been among the world’s top players and remains a fan-favorite.

The return of Rapport, along with the confirmation of GM Peter Leko’s participation, has sparked excitement within the Hungarian chess community. Leko, a former world championship challenger, will be rejoining the national team for the first time since 2018.

With the addition of GM Sanan Sjugirov, who transferred from Russia last year, Hungary is now expected to be a strong contender for medals in the upcoming Chess Olympiad. The team lineup, which includes Rapport, Sjugirov, Leko, and others, showcases the depth and talent of Hungarian chess players.

The news of Rapport’s return has generated buzz within the chess world, with fans eagerly anticipating his performance in the upcoming Olympiad. The Hungarian Chess Federation’s efforts to rebuild trust and bring back top players like Rapport and Leko demonstrate their commitment to success on the international stage.