Czech Grandmaster (1955), International Arbiter (1978), writer and journalist. Filip was the first Czechoslovakian player to play the Candidates’ Tournament in 1962 and 1966. The was the Czechoslovakian Champion in 1950, 1952 and 1954. Best results: Marianske Lazne 1957 and 1960, 1st; Sofia 1957, 1st; Buenos Aires 1963, 1st; Alekhine Memorial 1959, 4th; Baden Vienna

Russian Grandmaster (1996) and World University Champion in 2000.  Filippov was a participant in the 1998 Olympiad and in the 2004 World Championship. Best results: Gistrup GM 1996, 3rd; Omsk 1996, 2nd; Ubeda Open 1997, 2nd; Russian Cup Final GM 1997, 3rd; Russian Cup Final GM 1998, 2nd-5th; Novgorod Open 1998, 1st; Tomsk 1998, 2nd; Swidnica

Russian Grandmaster (1966), and chess theorist.  Furman was the Honoured Trainer of USSR (1973), the trainer of Anatoly Karpov (1969-1978) and the USSR team at the Olympiad in 1974 and the European Team Championship in 1977. Best results: Leningrad championship: 1953, 1st; 1954, 1st-3rd; 1957, 1st-2nd; 1947,  Harrachov 1966, 1st ahead of Mark Taimanov, Vlastimil Hort

Slovakian Grandmaster (1980). Ftacnik was the European Junior Champion 1976-7 and Czech Champion in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1985.  An author, journalist, and coach. Leading Slovakian player in the 1990’s he was a participant in five Olympiads. Best results: winner or shared first at Cienfuegos 1980, equal 1st; Dortmund 1981, equal 1st; Esbjerg 1982, 1st;

Czech Grandmaster in composition (1975), IJC in 1956 and a lawyer. From 1930 he composed more than 500 studies and problems collected in his book Vybrane Sachove Problemy (1979).  Fritz was a follower of the Bohemian chess school; his studies invariably ended in pretty and correct checkmates or stalemates. He paid much attention to echo

Polish International Master (1955) of almost Grandmaster strength. Frydman had a nearly consistent record in the Olympiads before the Second World War and he played for his country in all of them from 1928 to 1939, with the exception of London 1927. He had some excellent tournament results in the period from 1934 until 1941.

German Grandmaster (2007) born in Ukraine. Best results: the Ukraine 2000 Championship, 5th-10th; Cuxhaven in 2002, 1st; Bad Zwischenahn 2004 and 2005, 1st; Delmenhorst. Peak rating: 2550 in 2005.

German Grandmaster (2001) born in Latvia. German Champion in 2008, 2012 and 2014. Latvian Champion in 1996. Fridman won the bronze medal at the World U16 in 1992 and came fourth at the World U20 in 1996. Best results: won or shared first at Herfort Open 2000, Bermuda Open 2003 and the National Open 2004, Marseille

U.S. Grandmaster (1992) born in Russia. U.S. U18 Champion 1986. Since 1993, Fishbein has worked in the securities industry. Best results: U.S. U18 Championship 1987, 2nd; New York WFW 1990, 1st; New York Manhattan CC 1990, 3rd; Herning 1991, 1st; U.S. Open 2001, 3rd-10th., Liberty Bell Open 2014, 1st.  He won or shared first at the

Hungarian Grandmaster (2003). Best Results: Utasellato IM, 1st; Budapest FS08 1994, 1st; Budapest Hungaroil 1995, 1st; Elekes Memorial 1996, 3rd; Balatonbereny 1997, 1st; Zalakaros Open 1997, 1st; Budapest FS02 2000, 1st; Budapest FS02 2005, 1st and Elekes Memorial 2005, 1st. Peak rating: 2515 in 1995.