I was born in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) 08 January 1947. At age 5 my mother taught me to play chess and it was not long until I could beat my mother. My first book was a chess book and even at a very young age, I could remember my games. By age 8 I was an accomplished player, attending the chess palace daily where I was singled out as one of the most promising young players. At 14 I was left an orphan and placed in an internat where my chess and music talent (piano and cello) earned me special privileges and my own room. I ran the school chess club during my 3 years there and then began studying mathematics at the university of Leningrad, but I gave up the study of mathematics to pursue a career as chess professional. In 1979, playing in the Soviet Team Championships, I defeated Karpov, then World Champion.
I was part of a Soviet team which went to Cuba, on the way back to Russia, during a refueling stop at Gander, I made a dash for freedom (with the KGB close on my heels). I became a Candian citizen and won both the Canadian Open and Canadian Closed. Several times I represented Canada in International Tournaments. I am 9 times Grand Prix Champion winning many prestigious tournaments as an active tournament player. I am now semi-retired, live in the mountains of southern Utah with my wife Elizabeth, a retired teacher. I teach chess, run a chess camp every summer, give piano recitals, take care of Petruska and Sasha (two very spoiled cats) and am an avid gardner and reader.
