Russian Grandmaster (1995). Graduated from the Leningrad Pioneer Palace. Champion of Leningrad-Petersburg in 1991, 1992 and 1994. Best results: Belsko-Byala 1989, 1st; Chelyabinsk 1991, 1st; Rilton Cup in 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007, 1st; Stockholm Open 2000, 1st; Stockholm GM 2009, 1st, Rilton Cup 2009/2010, 3-5th. Peak rating: 2574 in 2005.

Russian Grandmaster (2001). Vice European U20 champion in 1999. Coach in Saratov and second of Tomashevsky. Best results: Vitebsk 2003, 1st; Saratov championship 2004, 1st 2008 and 2009, 1st; Figueres Open 2007, 1st; Vesterhavsturneringen (DEN) 2008, 2nd. A participant at the 2007 World Cup. Alexei is married with Women Grandmaster Olga Iljushina. Peak rating: 2564

Kazakh Grandmaster (2008). Champion of Kazakhstan in 2008 and second in 2007. Best results: Astana championship 2002, 1st; Saratov IM 2004, 1st; Zonal 3.6 championship, 1st;Alushta Summer 2008, 1st; Gurgaon International Open 2009, 1-4th; Pavlovar Open 2009, 4th; Maralsay 2010 (KAZ), 1st; World University championship 2001, 4-6th. A participant at the Olympiads since 2006 and

An interesting correpondence game where you can see fourteen sacrifices, six White and eight Black!

Max Euwe became World Champion in 1935 after beating Alexander Alekhine. Fourteen years before the event both players met in Den Hague in 1921 playing (probably) the shortest games between two future world champions.  

Sofia-Corsica rules or New York rules? The Sofia rule is referring to the interdiction to offer a draw in less than 30 moves. The Sofia the anti-draw measure was adopted during the 2007 Mtel tournament in Sofia: “The players should not offer draws directly to their opponents. Draw-offers will be allowed only through the Chief-Arbiter in three cases: a

In a survey published in 1965 by the British Chess magazine, the game between Reti and Bogoljubov played at New York, 1924 was the best game of the chess history…  

Bulgarian Grandmaster (2008). Bulgarian Champion 2006, Bulgarian U10 Champion 1998, U12 Champion 1999 and 2000, U14 Champion 2000 and 2001, U16 Champion 2004. Bronze medalist at the World U10 in 1998. Best results: Varna Open 2005, 1st; Arcapita Open (BRN), 2nd; GM Nino Kirov Memorial 2009 (BUL), 1st; Kesarovski-Georgiev Memorial 2009 (BUL), 1-3rd ; Internacional

American Grandmaster (2005) born in Russia who was four times Canadian Champion. He was a chess teacher. In 1980, he was a member of the Soviet delegation playing in Cuba, but on the way back he defected to Canada where he was granted political asylum. Later he became a Canadian citizen. Second of Viktor Korchnoi

American Grandmaster (2002) born in Georgia. World Youth Champion U16 in 2000. European Youth Champion U18 in 2001, European U20 Champion in 2001 and 2002. Five times Georgian Champion in different categories. Best results: winner or shared first at Kasparov Cup-Moscow 2000, Baku Cup 2000, BSCA Open Championship 2003, Essent Open 2003, Pittsburg Open and