'Fed up': The story behind Russia No. 1 Ian Nepomniachtchi's tattoos
Russia’s No. 1 chess grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi has two tattoos. Both carry different stories. His left-arm full sleeve took eight sessions over eight months, with flights from Moscow to Munich to meet his tattoo artist. From a phoenix and a favourite quote to Greek mythology, chess pieces and the pain involved, Nepo opens up about the stories behind his ink.
Tattoos have a long history, with evidence dating back thousands of years to ancient Egyptians. They often hold personal or cultural significance. Russian chess grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi, known as "Nepo," sports two tattoos on his arms, each with a unique story. The tattoo on his right arm features the phrase "Rise and rise again and again like the Phoenix from the ashes; until the lambs have become lions," a quote he has wanted for years.
The left arm, a full-sleeve, took eight sessions over a year and a half to complete, revealing a mix of Ouroboros, chess pieces, and a Greek goddess, all created by a Munich-based artist. Nepo, who admitted to finding the experience painful but rewarding, hopes his tattoos will be understood and appreciated for their personal meaning.
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