Nisipeanu Returns To Native Romania After 9 Years

Romanian GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu has returned to his native country after nine years playing for Germany. The 46-year-old becomes the third top grandmaster to switch to Romania in less than a year.

"Welcome back, Dieter! We're happy to have you back!" the Romanian Chess Federation announced on Twitter. The transfer was officially confirmed by FIDE on Wednesday.

Before the transfer of world number 13 GM Richard Rapport, Nisipeanu had been the highest-rated Romanian grandmaster ever, peaking at world number 15 with a 2707 rating in 2005. The highlight of his career was when he reached the semifinal of the FIDE World Chess Championship in 1999, after knocking out favorites such as GMs Alexei Shirov and Vasly Ivanchuk. Another highlight was his title as the European Champion in 2005. 

Nisipeanu started playing for Germany in 2014. Three years later he also became the German champion for the first time.

⚡ BREAKING NEWS ⚡
GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu will play (again) for Romania! 🇷🇴 The transfer was made official today by @FIDE_chess.
Welcome back, Dieter! We're happy to have you back! pic.twitter.com/CFRzj6pAyt

— Romanian Chess Federation (@FrsahRo) April 12, 2023

"Thanks to Dieter for the great years on our top board and all the best for the new challenges ahead!" the German Chess Federation wrote in a goodbye message on Twitter.

Nisipeanu is the third top player to change federations to Romania in less than a year. Just a few months ago, Ukrainian youngster Kirill Shevchenko completed his transfer and moved to Bucuresti. Rapport, along with his wife Jovana, moved from Hungary in September, making Romania a contender for medals in future Olympiads.

The veteran now strengthens an already strong national team:

• GM Richard Rapport, 2745
• GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac, 2700
• GM Kirill Shevchenko, 2684
• GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu, 2598
• GM Constantin Lupulescu, 2582

Nisipeanu's return appeared to be a goal since Vlad Ardeleanu was appointed the new president of the Romanian Chess Federation in 2021. He told the news site Fanatik then:

It is our obligation to open the dialogue with Mr. Nisipeanu. And it is the Federation's obligation to find solutions to bring Romania's most successful player to the country at the moment. I can't make a promise, but obviously we will try to bring the most titled player.

Romanian chess has also seen a boost thanks to Sacha Dragic, the Serbian founder of the Romanian company Superbet Foundation, which the federation credits for Nisipeanu's transfer. The company has become a major Grand Chess Tour sponsor. One classic, as well as one rapid and blitz event, will take place in Romania and Poland respectively in May.