Icelandic Grandmaster (1997). Real estate broker by profession. Vice National Champion in 1993 and 2003. Won or shared first in Gausdal Peer Gynt Open 1995, Wrexham 1998. Also second in Hafnarfjordur Open 1995. A regular participant in the Olympiads since 1992. Best ELO: 2510 in 1997.

Indian Grandmaster (1997), coach and journalist. Commonwealth Champion in 1985, Indian Champion in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1992, 1993 and 1994. Won or shared first in Campigny Open 1984. A participant in nearly all the Olympiads from 1982 until 2002. Best ELO: 2515 in 1995.

Belarus Grandmaster (2007). Best ELO: 2518 in 2006.

German Grandmaster (1996). Won or shared first in Berlin Open 1993, Vienna Open 1994, Wattens Open 1998, Regensburg Open 1999, Augsburg Open 2001, Essen Open 2003. Also second in Guilford GM 1991, Linz 1995, Capablanca Memorial 1998, Lippstadt Open 1999, Graz Open 2001, Erfurt Open 2006. Best ELO: 2540 in 2004.

Kazakh Grandmaster (1995). Best results: Cheliabinsk B 1991, 2nd; Bogatyrev’s Memorial 2001, 1st; Flame of Karachaganak 2001, 1st; Goryainov Memorial 2003, 1st; Kokchetav 2005, 1st; Zudov Memorial (RUS) 2007, 2nd. A participant in the Olympiads from 1994 until 2004 (except 2002). Best ELO: 2500 in 1995.

French Grandmaster (1950) born in Russia. In 1889 he left Russia following the death of his parents in a pogrom. He studied in Geneva and Vienna and became a lawyer and then a doctor in law in 1909. His had his first chess success when he was 19 years old when he won the International

US Grandmaster in 1976. Californian Junior Champion in 1966, in 1970 he was a member of the National Team which won the World Student Team Championship. Finished second place in the US Championship in 1978 and was equal third in 1984. He has participated in all the World Chess Olympiads since 1974 and showed his

UAE Grandmaster (2004). The first UAE player to hold such a title. UAE Champion on various occasions. Was awarded a gold medal for the best individual performance at board 5 in the 2000 Olympiad. Arab Youth U20 Champion in 1995. Won or shared first in Cannes CS 1997, Alushta I and II 2004. Also, second

Soviet Grandmaster (1957) born in Riga and like other great champions, was also an honoured Sport Master by the Soviet authorities. The eighth World Champion, he began to play chess at the age of 10. He studied chess, being coached by Koblencs at the Pioneer Palace, Riga. At 18, he received the Master title and

Azerbaijan Grandmaster in 2002. Won Donskoy 2002, Tula 2003.  Second in Krsk, Serpukhov  2002 and Osterschachturnier GER 2003. Best ELO: 2583 in 2003.