Ukrainian-born Russian Grandmaster who became the youngest Grandmaster in the history of chess (12 years and 7 months). World Rapid Champion in 2012 and World Blitz Champion in 2016. European U10 Champion in 1999, World U12 Champion in 2001. He was the Vice European Champion U14 in 2001, Ukrainian U14 Champion in 2001 and the

Ukrainian Women Grandmaster (2009). World U10 Girls Champion in 2004. Best results: World U14 Girls championship 1998, 4th; Krakow Open C 2002, 1st; Evpatoria 2006 (UKR),1-3rd; Melitopol Cup 2008, 1st; Ukrainian Women championship 2010, 5th. Peak rating: 2367 in 2009. She is not active since 2015.

Russian Grandmaster (1970). Karpov was the 12th World Champion 1975-1985 and 1998-1999, European Rapid Chess Champion in 1996. From 1973-1977, 1979-1981 and 1984 he was awarded the “Chess Oscar” prize nine times. Karpov studied Economics, English and Spanish at the Leningrad University and is also known as a stamp collector. Karpov began to play chess

Swedish Grandmaster (1983), one of the strongest Swedish player in the 1930s to the 1960s. Nordic Champion in 1937, eleven times Swedish Champion. Best results: Gothenburg 1931, 1st; Stockholm 1934, 1st; Erebro 1935, 2nd behind Alekhine; Ostende 1936, 1st; Munich 1941, 2nd-3rd; Bad Gastein 1948, 1st ; Zurich 1952, 1st; in the zonals: Helsinki 1947,

Russian Commissar for War in the first Bolshevik Government and later a Commissar for Justice in the USSR. Krylenko may have done more than anyone else to popularize chess. As Chairman of the chess section of the All-Union Council for Physical Recreation, he was largely responsible for persuading the Soviet Government to sponsor chess and

Austro-Hungarian chess player, born in Pressburg. Kolisch was one of the strongest players of the 1860’s and he achieved a number of victories, some of which included: a win against Bernhard Horwitz +3-1=0 in Manchester, 1860; a crushing victory against Thomas Barnes +10-1 in London, 1860 and a draw in an endless match with Louis

U.S. Grandmaster (2007). Kraai has a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Heidelberg (GER) in 2001. Best results: 1987 National Junior High School Championship, 1st; Richardson IM 2008, 1st; NJ Futurity 2009, 1st; U.S. Open 2009, 1-5th CalChess Labor Day Championships 2010, 1st, 2010 California Class Open, 1st, Far West Open 2010, 1st; Evans

Russian Grandmaster (1980). Kasparov was the 13th World Champion 1985-2000, Champion of the USSR, Russia and the World Junior Champion 1980.  He won the bronze medal at the World U16 Championships 1977 and has been rated as one of the world’s best players since 1985.  He has also participated in eight Olympiads between 1980 and

Macedonian Grandmaster. Jacimovic was the national champion in 2005. Best results: Struga championship 2007, 3rd; Open championship of Skopje 2009, 4-7th, Skopje Open 2011, 1-5th; Belgrade Trophy 2016, 1-6th. A participant at the Olympiads from 1994 till 2006 and in the 2002 World Team Championship. Peak rating: 2504 in 2001.    

Dutch businessman (CEO of  SWIFT, Belgacom and later of Czech Telecom) and chess patron. He graduated in 1963 from the Municipal University of Amsterdam with a degree in Economic Sciences In 2002 he set up the Eurotel tournament, which resulted in the historical signature of the ‘Prague Agreement’ between Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik and FIDE with