A new world champion has been crowned in diving chess, a hybrid sport that combines swimming and chess as players must hold their breath and dive underwater to play out a game on the bottom of a pool.
Dutch FIDE Master Zyon Kollenclaimed his first World Diving Chess Championship title on 29 December in Groningen, winning the 2025 World Diving Chess Championships — the largest event in the sport’s history. A key moment came in his victory against last year’s Dutch Champion, Sjoerd van Roon, a game that helped pave the way to the title. You can explore that decisive encounter here:
Kollen went into the sixth and final round on a perfect 5/5, needing only a draw to secure the title, which he achieved quickly. A former Dutch Diving Chess Champion, he has already indicated he is keen to return next year to defend his crown.
Jurrian de Graaf finished second, with Michel Timmer taking third. The championships were oversubscribed and capped at 40 competitors due to the limited number of custom-built underwater chessboards. All players competed in a single open tournament.
The Women’s World Championship title was awarded to Josephine Damen (17), the highest-placed female competitor. The field reflected the sport’s wide appeal, with three ten-year-olds competing alongside experienced adult players.
Diving Chess combines traditional chess with underwater breath-hold diving. Players take turns diving to a submerged magnetic chessboard to make a move before resurfacing, creating a unique contest where strategy, stamina, and nerve are inseparable.
Invented by American chess master Etan Ilfeld, the sport turns every move into a battle not just against an opponent — but against oxygen itself.
