Akhmilovskaya-Donaldson Elena (11.03.1957-18.11 2012)

American Woman Grandmaster (1977) and FIDE Instructor (2010), born in Russia.
In 1986 she became the challenger of the Women World Champion Maya Chiburdanidze, losing the contest 8½-5½. US Women co-Champion in 1993. In 1988, she eloped with American IM John Donaldson while playing the chess Olympiads in Greece.

Best results: Interzonal 1976, 1st; beat Tatnia Lematchko 6½-5½ for the 1997 Candidates then lost to Maya Chiburdanidze 5½-6½ for 1978 Candidates’ Semifinals; Interzonal 1979, 2nd; lost to Nana Alexandria 3½-5½ at the 1981 Candidates; Alfoldi Memorial 1985, 1st; she lost the Candidates’ playoff to Nana Ioseliani 3-2 in 1988.

A participant in the 1978, 1986 and 1988 Women Olympiads with the Soviet team and in the 1992, 1994, 1998 and 2002  Women Olympiads with the US. team. During those team events, she was awarded a Gold medal (100%) in 1978 and a Silver medal in 1988 for the best and second best individual performances.

Married to the International Master Georgi Orlov she died of a brain cancer in 2012.

Peak rating: 2430 in 1990.