November 12, 2026
Dato Tan Chin Nam (1926-2018)
Malaysian entrepreneur, developer and chess patron. He was one of the richest businessmen in Malaysia.
Duda Jan Krzysztof (26.04.1998)
Polish Grandmaster who achieved his final norm in 2013 at the age of 15 years
Anand Viswanathan (11.12.1969)
Indian Grandmaster (1988). World Champion 2000-2001 and 2007-2013. World Rapid Chess Champion in 2003 and
Chess Fact 37
Ding was undefeated in classical chess from August 2017 to November 2018, recording 29 victories
Matlakov Maxim (05.03.1991)
Russian Grandmaster, European Champion 2017, World U18 Champion in 2009 and Russian U20 Champion in
Dvorkovich Arkady (26.03.1972)
Arkady Dvorkovich, the 7th FIDE president (2018), a Russian economist who was Deputy Prime Minister
Flores Diego (18.12.1982)
Argentine Grandmaster (2008) born in Spain. Argentine Champion 2005, 2009, 2011 and 2013. Best results: winner
Kutin Boris (21.07.1947)
Slovenian chess organizer, FIDE Vice President (2010-2018), author and journalist. Kutin was the European President
Van Wely Loek (07.10.1972)
Dutch Grandmaster (1993). Best Dutch player for a decade when he won seven national titles.
Peng Zhaoqin (08.05.1968)
Dutch Grandmaster (2004) and Women’s Grandmaster born in China. FIDE Instructor (2011). Best ever Dutch
Dubov Daniil Dmitrievich (16.04.1996)
Russian Grandmaster (2011) at the age of 14 years, 11 months, 14 days. World Rapid
Artemiev, Vladislav (05.03.1998)
Russian Grandmaster (2014), European Champion 2019, won the European Under-14 Championship in 2011 and was runner-up in
Cheparinov Ivan (26.11.1986)
Georgian Grandmaster born in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Champion in 2004, 2005 and 2018. The second of
Grandelius Nils (03.06.1993)
Swedish Grandmaster (2010). Swedish Champion in 2015, European U18 Champion 2011 and Swedish U18 Champion
Giri Anish (28.06.1994)
Russian-born Dutch Grandmaster (2009). Dutch Champion in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015. Russian Champion U12.
Jansa Vlastimil (27.11.1942)
Czech Grandmaster (1974) and coach. World Senior Senior Champion 2018 (+65) who was Czech Champion
Al-Modiahki Mohamad (01.06.1974)
The first Qatari Grandmaster (1998). A talented Arab player who was coached by Gennadi Kuzmin,
Makropoulos Georgios (28.09.1953)
Greek International Master (1979) and journalist. The winner of seven titles of Greek Champion between
Borg Geoffrey (22.07.1963)
Maltese FIDE Master who is the CEO of Global Chess since 2007 and CEO of
Moser Eva (26.07.1982-31.03.2019)
Austrian International Master (2004) and Women’s Grandmaster (2002). Best ever Austrian woman player. Austrian (men’s)
Zhu Chen (16.03.1976)
Qatari Grandmaster and Women’s Grandmaster born in China. Women’s World Champion from 2001 to 2004.
Ilyumzhinov Kirsan Nikolaevich (05.04.1962)
President of FIDE 1995-2018, a Russian citizen. Former President and Head of Republic of Kalmykia
Aronian Levon (06.10.1982)
Armenian Grandmaster. World Blitz Champion 2010. World Cup winner in 2005 and 2017, World U20
Iclicki Willy (12.01.1955)
Liechtensteiner chess amateur born in Belgium. FIDE Treasurer (1990-1996), ECU Auditor 2002-2014, General Secretary of
Bologan Victor – Viorel (14.12.1971)
Moldovian Grandmaster (1991) Graduated in Pedagogy (Ph.D.) from Sports Academy, Moscow (1996). USSR U20 Champion