Sankt Petersburg, 04 Nowember 2014 r.

Rapid chess without the threat of excommunication.

On 4th November 2014, in the spiritual and educational centre at the cathedral in St. Petersburg, the first Rapid Chess Championship of Orthodox clergy of St. Petersburg metropolis took place, 7 rounds, 10 minutes per game for each player. 8 Orthodox priests participated in the Championship. Father Konstantin Slepinin won with the result of 6 points out of 7.

At the end of the tournament. Maria Butuk, the author of this information was placed in the middle position.



Participants during a round in the playing hall.

It is worth noting that the ancient game was compared to gambling and binge drinking. The Russian Orthodox Church forbade playing chess under pain of excommunication in 1262. However, despite religious prohibition, the game continued to spread and is still spreading both in Europe and in Russia. Among the clergy it was not less evident than in other social classes. With time, the fight on the chessboard has continued, but it is no longer considered a sin, neither among lay people nor among the clergy.

Fr. Dimitrij Dmitriew – the tournament organizer.


Fr. Igor Zawarinski.


Fr. Gieorgij Hristich.


Family support can come in handy..


In the background the jurors’ discussion.


In the middle, the winner Fr. Konstantin Slepinin with a score of 6 points.

Maria Butuk
Woman International Master.

Source: www.ruchess.ru - Рапид без угрозы отлучения.