English International Master (1950) who won the British Championship 9 times in 11 appearances and 7 times in a row (1905-1911, 1924 and 1925). Only Penrose has won it more times than this (10 times). He was known as ‘the little Steinitz’. Emmanuel Lasker wrote that Atkins had the potential to become a grandmaster, and

Russian International Master. A meteorologist. Champion of Moscow in 1965. He played few times the Soviet championship and tied for second place behind Keres in 1950. Shared first place in the RSFSR championship with Nikolai Krogius in 1952. Late in life he was confined to bed by a serious illness.

French International Master (1982), French Champion in 1988. Best results: Winner at Dijon and Issy-les Moullineux in 1987. A participant in the 1988 Olympiad. Coach of the national women team 1991-1993. Casino player – he was murdered over an obscure affair of money by some business relatives. Peak rating: 2450 in 1998.

Canadian International Master (1954). Four times Canadian champion, in 1953, 1955, 1967 and 1968-9. He came closer to the Grandmaster title than any other player. A true team player, he scored 84% at the 1954 Amsterdam Olympiad and at 1958’s Munich Olympiad. Unfortunately, he became ill and was unable to play his final round. He

Ukrainian Grandmaster (2010) and Woman Grandmaster born in East Germany. European Women’s Champion in 2000 and European U13 Champion in 1993. She was awarded a gold medal for being a member of the winning team (board 1) in the 2006 Women’s Olympiad. Best results: Groningen Women’s 1997, 1st; Belgrad 1998, 1st; Women’s World Cup 2000,

Chinese Grandmaster (2008) and Woman Grandmaster. World U12, U14 and U20 Girls’ Champion in 2002. Gold medalist in the Women’s Olympiad in 2002 and in 2004 for the best individual performance at boards 4 and 3, and a medal in 2006 for the best rating performance with 2617. Best results: Cannes Lady Cup 2003, 1st;

Argentine Grandmaster (1994). World Junior Champion in 1992. Vice champion of Argentine in 1994 and 1999. Best results: won or shared first in Mar del Plata 1989, Linares (CHI) 2000, Rosario 2001 and Pinamar 2002. A participant in five Olympiads between 1992 and 2006. He won an individual silver medal on board four at Moscow

Colombian Grandmaster (1994). FIDE Senior Trainer (2004). Vice World Junior Champion behind Jusupow in 1977. Champion of Colombia in 1980, 1981, 1995 (joint), 1996, 2000, and 2002. The best ever Colombian chess player. Gold medal for the best individual result at board 1 of the Panamerican Team Championship in 1991 Best results: won or shared

Bolivian Grandmaster (2006). Best ever Bolivian player. Several times Bolivian Champion. A participant in the Olympiads between 1998 and 2006. In 2000, he got an individual silver medal for the second best results on the third board. Best ELO: 2514 in 2011.

Russian Grandmaster (1976).,  FIDE Senior Trainer (2006), Honoured coach of the USSR (1978), coach of Tigran Petrosian, Lev Polugaevsky in the Candidates’ matches and Anatoly Karpov in the world hampionship matches (1978-87 and 1990). Champion of Moscow in 1969. A participant in five USSR championships between 1962-70. Best results: Moscow 1968, 1st -4th; Polanica Zdroj