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Alexander Khalifman was born on January 18, 1966, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). A distinguished Russian chess player, Khalifman was the FIDE World Chess Champion from 1999 to 2000.
Khalifman first gained recognition in 1986 when he became the European Junior Champion in Groningen, Netherlands. His strength as a player was further confirmed when he won the Russian Championship in 1995 and 1996. However, following the economic upheaval caused by perestroika, Khalifman found it difficult to sustain a living solely through tournament participation.
In 1998, he established a chess school to secure a stable income, which led to a reduction in his competitive appearances. However, in 1999, Khalifman could not resist the allure of competition and entered the FIDE World Chess Championship knockout tournament in Las Vegas—a decision that would prove monumental.
During the tournament, Khalifman showcased his exceptional skills, defeating formidable opponents such as Gata Kamsky, Boris Gelfand, and Judit Polgár. In the final, he faced Vladimir Akopian and emerged victorious, earning the title of FIDE World Champion in 1999.
Despite his triumph, Khalifman’s victory was met with criticism from Garry Kasparov, who dismissively remarked that even "chess tourists" could become world champions under the FIDE knockout format.
In addition to his chess achievements, Khalifman is respected for his strong moral principles. This was evident in 2022 when he, along with 43 other prominent Russian chess players, signed an open letter addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the letter, they protested Russia's invasion of Ukraine and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
One notable moment from Khalifman’s 1999 championship run was his rapid tiebreak game against Boris Gelfand in Las Vegas. In this position, White had successfully neutralized Black's initiative and was poised to take over. Can you figure out how Khalifman could finish the game?
Key Concepts of Chess - Pawn Structures Vol.1 and 2
In this two-part course the emphasis will be on typical pawn-structures.
This week’s show (for Premium Members only)
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