Alexander Khalifman

Born 1966 in St. Petersburg/Russia; Grandmaster 1990; peak Elo rating: 2702; World Champion (FIDE) 1999-2000; World Team Championship 1997; Chess Olympiad, Gold Medal: 1992, 2000, 2002; notable tournament victories: Groningen 1990, St. Petersburg 1995, 1997, Russian Chess Champion 1996. Just as Korchnoi and Spassky had, he joined the legendary chess section of the Leningrad Pioneer Palace. Khalifman now heads the St. Petersburg Chess School and is a renowned author of chess books.