Salov Valery Borisovich (26.05.1964)

Russian Grandmaster (1986) born in Poland and since 1991, living near Madrid. Coach and journalist. World U16 Champion in 1980, European U20 Champion in 1983-84. First equal in the 1987 USSR Championship 1987, he lost the playoff to Alexander Beliavsky. Candidate in 1987,  he lost the match to Jan Timman (-1=5).

Best results: won or shared first in Borzomi, 1984, Nikea 1985, Interzonal in Szirak in 1987. Best results:  third in Leningrad 1987, second in Brussels 1988, third in Amsterdam 1989, Amsterdam Max Euwe 1991, Wijk aan Zee 1992, Wijk aan Zee Open 1993, Buenos Aires, Tilburg 1994, Wijk aan Zee 1997.

In the matches for the World Championship quarterfinals, he beat Alexander Khalifman 5-1 in 1994 then lost to Gata Kamsky in the semifinals 5½-1½ the following year.

In 2000 he coached the national Indian; then later he went to exercise in Iran.

Salov never participated in the Olympiads, he retired from active chess in 2000.

Peak rating: 2715 in 1995, he was then the 3rd world ranked player.