700 Dives, 16 Opponents: How Michal Set A Guinness World Record With A Splash

Chess and swimming may seem like an unusual combination, but for CM Michal Mazurkiewicz from Poland, it is the perfect blend of mental and physical endurance. The 34-year-old has made waves by earning a well-deserved spot in the Guinness World of Records for the "Most simultaneous diving chess opponents."

The Guinness Book of World Records is the world's most-sold book, tracking many spectacular records, including chess. Chess.com previously covered all Guinness chess records, from the longest chess marathon to the "Fastest time to arrange a chess set while being blindfolded."

Among the many spectacular records, Mazurkiewicz has secured his Guinness record in diving chess, perhaps one of the most unique disciplines. The physically demanding sport is played in a swimming pool. A submerged chess board with magnetized pieces keeps everything in place.

This video from the 2024 Diving World Championship exemplifies how this is done.

Players take turns diving beneath the surface, holding their breath while thinking about their move. They can only surface after executing their move, at which point their opponent must immediately dive and start thinking about their response.

Mazurkiewicz is the reigning Diving World Chess Champion, an event he has won three times. "I've been passionate about chess since childhood," he explained to Chess.com in an interview. "Swimming and diving were also hobbies, but I started training in the pool regularly after a back injury during the pandemic. When I heard about the Polish Diving Chess Championships in 2021, I thought, 'That sounds like the perfect combination for me.'" he said.

He eventually contacted Elan Ilfeld, the main organizer of the Mind Sports Olympiad and the inventor of diving chess. After winning three consecutive world titles, Mazurkiewicz sought a new challenge—not just to test his limits but to promote the niche sport. The idea of a Guinness World Record was born.

"In 2023 I gave, probably as the first in history, diving chess simul. It was for charity, with six opponents and obviously with no strict rules. But we all enjoyed it, the media also picked it up. So this idea came to my mind: 'Let's do something more to promote the discipline, maybe a Guinness Record?' And I applied for that. I also have to admit that I wanted to try it myself to push my limits," he explained.

The 34-year-old had to adhere to strict Guinness regulations, such as having all FIDE-rated opponents be at least 16 years old. There was only one breath per move, and no diving equipment was allowed. He needed to score at least 80 percent, meaning winning or drawing at least 13 of the 16 games against a pretty decent field of opponents rated from 1400 to 2450 (including one international master!). The entire feat also had to be recorded from multiple angles to verify compliance.

"The hardest part wasn't just the games themselves, it was managing the logistics," he recalls. "I needed to be prepared for floating pieces, draw offers, game resignations, ensuring each move was captured on camera, and keeping my concentration while exhausted. One mistake, even an unintentional one, and all my efforts would have been wasted. That generated some additional stress."

In the end, he scored 13.5/16, losing only one game in the event that lasted around 100 minutes. "I felt great satisfaction, but after a moment—when all these emotions fell, I realized I was simply exhausted. I knew it would be tough, but I didn't expect it to be that hard!" He estimates that he dove approximately 700 times during the simul. 

I knew it would be hard, but didn't expect it to be that hard!

—Michal Mazurkiewicz, Guinness World Record holder.

"It was huge stress, with no breaks to catch breath and drinking water. But it was definitely worth it!"

His dedication has now paid off. Recently, Mazurkiewicz was recognized for his achievement, earning him the official proof of holding a Guinness World Record. "I'm very satisfied, because I put a lot of effort and heart into months of preparations. I have never been a professional athlete, so this was new for me. I wouldn't say it was a dream, but it was more like one more goal."

Beyond the record, he said diving chess had pushed him to improve both his chess and physical fitness and to maintain a healthy diet. "I can feel real improvement," he said.

He doesn't rule out future attempts to improve the record. "I am pretty sure 20 is doable," he said. "I hope more people will have a chance to hear about this discipline, and more importantly, to try and enjoy it."