Almasi Zoltan (29.08.1976)

Hungarian Grandmaster (1993) and correspondence player. European Rapid Chess Champion in 2010. He learnt chess at the age of 5 from his mother and then was coached by Pal Pekan.

He left school at 14 and then went on to become a chess professional. Six times Youth Champion of Hungary then World Champion U-18 in 1993. Eight times Hungarian champion (1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2009).

Other victories include: Altestela, Altensteig and Catolica Open in 1993 – Groningen in 1994, Horgen II in 1995, beat Judith Polgar at the World Championship in 1997, Bern Open and Pamplona in 1997, Zalakaros and Krynica in 1998, Porzellan Cup in 1999, Marks Memorial (HUN) in 2005 and 2009, Reggio Emilia in 2008 and (shared) in 2010 and the Capablanca Memorial in 2013.

Almasi has competed in 11 consecutive Olympiads from 1994 to 2014 earning team silver in 2002 and 2014 as well as individual silver in 2010.

Peak rating: 2726 in 2011.