Famous Belarusian Chess Players

Boris Gelfand is a highly accomplished chess player from Belarus and Israel. He has an impressive professional record, having been a six-time World Championship candidate and winning the Chess World Cup in 2009. Gelfand's victory in the 2011 Candidates Tournament earned him a chance to challenge for the World Chess Championship in 2012. Throughout his career, he has secured wins in major tournaments and consistently held a top ranking by FIDE for over two decades. Gelfand's expertise has been showcased in numerous Chess Olympiads, highlighting his skill and dedication to the game.

Sergei Zhigalko is a prominent Belarusian chess player known for his impressive accomplishments in the world of chess. As a FIDE Grandmaster, he has secured three national championship titles and has excelled as a European and world champion in his age category. Zhigalko has participated in multiple FIDE World Cup events over the years, showcasing his strategic prowess and competitive spirit on the global stage. His dedication to the game and consistent performance have solidified his reputation as a skilled and respected player in the chess community.

Olga Badelka is a highly accomplished Belarusian chess player who currently plays for the Russian Chess Federation and competes internationally. She holds the FIDE titles of International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM). Badelka has achieved significant success in various youth and women's chess championships, winning multiple medals at European and World Youth Chess Championships. She has also represented Belarus in Women's Chess Olympiads and participated in prestigious chess events such as the Women's European Individual Chess Championship. In addition to her chess career, Badelka pursued a degree in linguistics at the University of Missouri in the United States.

Anna Sharevich is a Belarusian-American Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in chess with a successful professional career. She has won the Women's Belarusian Chess Championship multiple times and represented team Belarus in several Women's Chess Olympiads. In 2014, Sharevich transferred her national federation to the United States. She has been an integral part of the Saint Louis Arch Bishops team, which won the United States Chess League championship in 2014. Sharevich's dedication and skill have solidified her reputation as a talented and accomplished chess player on the international stage.

Elena Tairova was a highly accomplished Belarusian and Russian chess player, earning the titles of Woman Grandmaster (WGM) and International Master (IM). She achieved notable successes in various youth championships, including winning the gold medal at the European Youth Chess Championships and the World Youth Chess Championships. In her professional career, Tairova won the Russian U-20 girls championship, finished second in the Superfinal of the Russian women's championship, and contributed to the Russian team's silver medal at the Women's World Team Chess Championship. She also performed well in international tournaments, showcasing her skill and talent in the world of chess.

Vladislav Vladimirovich Kovalev is a Belarusian chess Grandmaster with notable achievements in national and international competitions. He has won the Belarusian Chess Championship, Belarusian Junior Chess Championships, and has earned titles such as International Master and Grandmaster. Kovalev has represented Belarus in multiple Chess Olympiads and European Team Chess Championships, showcasing his skills on various boards. His impressive tournament performances, including victories in events like the Aeroflot Open and Tata Steel Challengers, highlight his prowess in the chess world.

Lanita Igorevna Stetsko is a highly accomplished Belarusian chess player, holding the prestigious title of Woman Grandmaster. She has demonstrated exceptional skill by winning various Belarusian girl's chess championships across different age categories. Stetsko has also secured medals in Belarusian women's chess championships and emerged victorious in international tournaments. Her participation in Women's Chess Olympiads and European Team Chess Championships showcases her talent on a global stage. Stetsko's professional journey is marked by continuous success, culminating in the attainment of the FIDE Woman Grandmaster title and her graduation from Belarusian State University.

Kira Zvorykina was a prominent Soviet chess player known for her exceptional skills in the game. She achieved significant success throughout her career, notably winning the Women's Soviet Championship three times. Zvorykina's strategic prowess and dedication to chess led to her induction into the World Chess Hall of Fame in 2018, solidifying her legacy in the world of chess. Her contributions to the game and her achievements continue to inspire aspiring chess players and enthusiasts worldwide.

Anastasia Sorokina is an accomplished Australian chess player, arbiter, organizer, and official. She holds prestigious titles such as Woman International Master (WIM), International Arbiter, FIDE Trainer, and International Organiser. With a career spanning over two decades, Sorokina has made significant contributions to the world of chess. Her leadership skills were recognized when she was elected as FIDE Vice-president from 2018 to 2022. Additionally, she currently serves as the Chairwoman of the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess, demonstrating her commitment to promoting gender equality in the chess community.

Nastassia Ziaziulkina is a skilled Belarusian chess player holding the FIDE titles of International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM). She has achieved notable success in various competitions, including winning the Girls Under 16 section of the World Youth Chess Championships in 2010 and 2011, as well as the Girls Under 18 at the European Youth Chess Championships in 2013. Ziaziulkina has also been victorious in multiple Women's Belarusian Chess Championships and has competed in prestigious events such as the Women's World Chess Championship.

Natalia Popova is a prominent Belarusian chess player, holding titles as a Woman International Master, International Arbiter, and FIDE Trainer. She has achieved significant success in her career, winning five Belarusian Women's Chess Championships and triumphing in the international chess festival RTU Open B tournament. Popova has represented Belarus in Women's Chess Olympiads and the European Team Chess Championship. With a strong educational background, including graduating from Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University, she is also a member of the FIDE Arbiters' Commission.

Nadezhda Petrovna Azarova, also known as Nadezhda Polivoda, is a Belarusian chess player with the FIDE title of Woman International Master (WIM) since 2006. Throughout the 2000s, she was a prominent figure in the Belarusian chess scene, achieving success by winning six medals in the Belarusian Women's Chess Championships. Azarova represented Belarus in the Women's Chess Olympiads, showcasing her talents on an international stage. Her dedication and skill in chess have solidified her reputation as a respected and accomplished player within the global chess community.

Rakhil Eidelson is a prominent Belarusian chess Woman Grandmaster known for her exceptional achievements in the field. With an impressive record of winning the Belarusian Women's Chess Championship ten times, she has showcased her remarkable skills and dedication to the game. Representing Belarus in several Women's Chess Olympiads, she has proven her expertise on the international stage. As the oldest female grandmaster in Belarus, she continues to actively participate in chess tournaments in both Russia and Belarus, inspiring aspiring chess players with her passion and talent.

Elena Zaiatz is a highly accomplished Russian female chess player with FIDE titles of International Master and Woman Grandmaster. She has represented both Belarus and Russia at international chess competitions. Elena has a strong competitive record, having participated in Chess Olympiads for Belarus and the Chess World Championship for Russia. She was a Belarusian National Chess Champion and won a bronze medal in the World U20 Chess Championship. Elena graduated from the Belarusian State University, showcasing her commitment to both academics and chess excellence.

Tatiana Berlin is a Belarusian chess player with the FIDE title of Woman International Master (WIM). She has represented Belarus in various European and World Youth Chess Championships. After graduating from Brest State University, she worked as a children's chess trainer in Kobryn before becoming a lecturer at the university. Berlin has competed for Belarus in Women's Chess Olympiads and won individual gold at the 37th Chess Olympiad in 2006. While she used to be active in chess tournaments, she has participated less frequently since 2009.

Galina Archakova is a prominent figure in the world of chess, known for her impressive achievements as a player, coach, and arbiter. She has a strong presence in Belarusian chess, having won the Belarusian Women Chess Championship nine times and represented the Byelorussian SSR in numerous competitions. Beyond her chess career, Archakova is also an accomplished professional in the field of water resources, having worked as a leading researcher at the Central Scientific Research Institute and obtained the degree of Candidate of Sciences.

Genrieta Lagvilava is a highly accomplished Belarusian chess player, holding the prestigious FIDE title of Woman Grandmaster (WGM) since 2000. She has a strong record of success in various championships, including winning the Georgian Women's Chess Championship in 1984 and the USSR Youth Chess Championship in 1986. Over the years, Lagvilava has been a prominent figure in Belarusian chess, earning medals in several Belarusian Women's Chess Championships. She has also represented Belarus in international competitions like the Women's World Chess Championship, Women's Chess Olympiads, and European Team Chess Championships.

Tamara Golovey is a highly accomplished chess professional with expertise as a Chess Master, Chess International Arbiter, and Merited Coach of the Republic of Belarus. With a United States Chess Federation rating (USCF) of 2322, she has demonstrated exceptional skill and knowledge in the world of chess. Her contributions to the chess community extend beyond her playing abilities, as she also serves as an Arbiter and Coach, helping to develop and guide the next generation of chess players. Golovey's dedication and expertise make her a respected figure in the chess world.