GM Vadim Malakhatko

[Simon Rogers]

The sad news has been reported that the Ukrainian-Belgian Grandmaster, Vadim Malakhatko died on 5th June 2023, at the age of just 46.
Vadim was born on 22nd March 1977 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
He was a member of the gold medal-winning Ukrainian team at the 2001 World Team Chess Championship.
In 2000, he won with the Ukrainian team a bronze medal in the 34th Chess Olympiad in Istanbul.
He had notable wins against GM Bogdan Lalic (83rd Hastings Chess Congress 2008) and Jonathan Speelman (Isle of Man 2007).
There was also a win against John K Shaw at Cappelle la Grande back in 2007.
He also had numerous successes at International tournaments.
RIP

[Matthew Turner]

Very sad news, thoughts go out to Anna and family

[Matt Mackenzie]

No age at all that, any indication of the cause?

[Simon Rogers]

No age at all that, any indication of the cause?

Apparently, his death was "unexpected," and the cause is "still unknown" on a few websites that I have found.
Thoughts are with his wife WGM Anna Zozulia at this sad and difficult time.

[Simon Rogers]

No age at all that, any indication of the cause?

According to Chess Base News, Vadim died of a heart attack in his apartment in Kyiv on 5th June. The funeral took place in Balklove Cemetery in Kyiv on 7th June.

[James Plaskett]

As Korchnoi observed, the heart is the classic weakness of the chessplayer.
Miles also died of a heart attack at 46.
R.I.P.