Psakhis Lev Borisovich (29.11.1958)

Israeli Grandmaster (1982) and FIDE Senior Trainer born in Russia, living in Israel since 1990. Israeli Champion in 1997 and co-Champion in 1999.

Lev started to play chess at 4 years old. Studied law but became a chess professional in 1977 after winning the Championship of Russia. The following year he won also the USSR Youth Master 1979. He became famous after winning twice the USSR Championship in 1980, jointly with Alexander Beliavsky and in 1981, jointly with Garry Kasparov. A member of the strong USSR team, he won two World Student Championships (1981 and 1983) and one European Championship (1983).

These excellent results made him achieve an ELO of 2615 and a place among the top 15 players in the world. Without an invitation to big tournaments, Lev decided to emigrate to Israel and became there one of the main stalwarts of the team to reach a place within the five best teams in the world.

A player of open tournaments with much success. He won Naleczow 1980, Krasnoyarsk 1980, Sarajevo 1981, Cienfuegos 1983, Sverlovsk 1984, Troon 1984, Yerevan 1986, Sarajevo 1986, Szirak 1986, Yurmala 1987, Lugano 1988, Belgrade 1988, Amsterdam II 1989, Copenhagen 2001, Andorra Open 2002. A participation in 7 Olympiads with Israel between 1990 and 2002.

Former coach of Emil Sutovsky, the Polgar sisters with a title of Women’s World Championship with Zsusa in 1997, Harikrishna and the Indian national team. Captain of the Canadian Team in 2006.

The author of The complete French (1992), Complete Benoni (1995), Advance and other anti-French variations (2003), French defense 3 Nd2 (2003), French defense 3 Nc3 Bb4 (2003). French defense: Steinitz, classical and other systems (2004).

Peak rating: 2625 in 1995.