Alexander Khalifman

Alexander Khalifman is a Russian professional chess grandmaster, born on January 18, 1966, in Leningrad, now Saint Petersburg, Russia. He is widely respected as one of the most talented chess players of his generation. Khalifman began his professional career in the late 1980s and achieved the title of World Chess Champion in 1999.

Khalifman is known for his deep and meticulous understanding of the game, his strategic acumen, and his ability to handle pressure in critical situations. He has won numerous individual awards and has contributed significantly to the development of chess theory.

Off the board, Khalifman is recognized for his contributions to chess education. He founded the Saint Petersburg Chess School in 2003 and has authored several books on the game.

Early Career

• Beginnings: Khalifman won the Soviet Union Youth Championship in 1982 and the European Youth Chess Championship in 1985. He earned the International Master title in 1986 and the Grandmaster title in 1990.

World Chess Championship

• Peak Success: Khalifman's crowning achievement came in 1999 when he won the FIDE World Chess Championship, becoming the 14th World Chess Champion.

Later Career

• Continued Success: Following his World Championship win, Khalifman continued to perform at a high level, winning several major tournaments and contributing to Russian team successes in international competitions.

Chess Education

• Post-competition Career: After retiring from competitive play, Khalifman focused on chess education. He founded the Saint Petersburg Chess School and has authored several books on chess theory and strategy.

Russian National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for the Russian National team in 1992.

Achievements:

• Chess Olympiads: Participated in the Chess Olympiads multiple times, helping Russia secure several team victories.
• European Team Chess Championships: Contributed to multiple team victories for Russia.

• Style: Known for his strategic and positional play, Khalifman is celebrated for his deep understanding of the game's nuances and his ability to handle complex endgames.

• Family: Khalifman is married and has a daughter. His wife, Marina, is a chess player and chess teacher.
• Chess Education: Beyond playing, Khalifman is deeply involved in chess education, having founded a chess school and written several books on the subject.

• Alexander Khalifman is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and achievements in chess but also for his contributions to chess education. His impact on the game and his status as an icon extend beyond the chessboard, inspiring and educating future generations of chess players.

World Chess Championship:

• Winner in 1999

European Team Chess Championships:

• Multiple team victories with Russia

Chess Olympiads:

• Multiple team victories with Russia

Books

• Khalifman, A. (2006) Opening for White According to Anand. Chess Stars.
• Khalifman, A. (2007) Opening for White According to Kramnik. Chess Stars.

Websites

• FIDE: Information about Alexander Khalifman’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fide.com
• Chess.com: Details about Khalifman’s games and strategies. Available at: https://www.chess.com

Articles

• ChessBase: Alexander Khalifman: Career highlights and achievements. Available at: https://en.chessbase.com

Interviews and Documentaries

• Chess24: Various interviews and features on Alexander Khalifman, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.chess24.com