Alexander Morozevich

Who is Alexander Morozevich?

Alexander Sergeyevich Morozevich is a Russian chess Grandmaster. In the May 2012 FIDE list, he had an Elo rating of 2769, making him the 9th-highest rated player in the world, although he has previously ranked as high as second, in the July 2008 list.

Morozevich has been one of the best chess players in the world for nearly a decade. He is famous for employing unusual openings, for example the Chigorin Defense, and more recently the Albin Countergambit; both systems are hardly ever seen at the top level. He is also well known for preferring complicated rather than clear positions. Due to his risky and spectacular style which produces relatively few draws, Morozevich is popular among chess fans. Among his most notable results are 7½/10 at the 2000 Chess Olympiad and 7/11 at the 2002 Chess Olympiad; first place in the overall standings at the Amber tournament in 2002, 2004 and 2006; first place in Biel tournament three times: 2003, 2004 and 2006; and twice winning the Russian championship.