Leningrad City Chess Championship
Encyclopedia
The Leningrad City Chess Championship is a chess tournament
held officially in the city of Leningrad
, Russia
starting from 1920. The city was called Petrograd from 1914 to 1924, then Leningrad until 1991, and Saint Petersburg afterwards. Only players born or living in or around the city were allowed to participate in this event.
The championship continued to be played, in spite of tremendous difficulties, also during the Siege of Leningrad
in the Second World War, though the tournament of 1941 could not be finished and that of 1942, the most difficult year of the blockade, could not be organized.
The winners include World champions Mikhail Botvinnik
(1931 and 1932), Boris Spassky
(1959 and 1961) and FIDE World Champion Alexander Khalifman
(1996 and 1997).
Chess tournament
A chess tournament is a series of chess games played competitively to determine a winning individual or team. Since the first international chess tournament in London, 1851, chess tournaments have become the standard form of chess competition among serious players.Today, the most recognized chess...
held officially in the city of Leningrad
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
starting from 1920. The city was called Petrograd from 1914 to 1924, then Leningrad until 1991, and Saint Petersburg afterwards. Only players born or living in or around the city were allowed to participate in this event.
The championship continued to be played, in spite of tremendous difficulties, also during the Siege of Leningrad
Siege of Leningrad
The Siege of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade was a prolonged military operation resulting from the failure of the German Army Group North to capture Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in the Eastern Front theatre of World War II. It started on 8 September 1941, when the last...
in the Second World War, though the tournament of 1941 could not be finished and that of 1942, the most difficult year of the blockade, could not be organized.
The winners include World champions Mikhail Botvinnik
Mikhail Botvinnik
Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik, Ph.D. was a Soviet and Russian International Grandmaster and three-time World Chess Champion. Working as an electrical engineer and computer scientist at the same time, he was one of the very few famous chess players who achieved distinction in another career while...
(1931 and 1932), Boris Spassky
Boris Spassky
Boris Vasilievich Spassky is a Soviet-French chess grandmaster. He was the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from late 1969 to 1972...
(1959 and 1961) and FIDE World Champion Alexander Khalifman
Alexander Khalifman
Alexander Valeryevich Khalifman is a Soviet and Russian chess Grandmaster of Jewish descent; he is also a former FIDE champion.When Khalifman was 6 years old, he was taught chess by his father....
(1996 and 1997).
List of winners
# | Year | Winner |
---|---|---|
1 | 1920 | Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich was a Russian chess master.-Biography:In 1911 Ilya Leontievich Rabinovich tied for 1st with Platz in Saint Petersburg... |
2 | 1922 | Grigory Levenfish Grigory Levenfish Grigory Yakovlevich Levenfish was a leading Jewish Russian chess grandmaster of the 1920s and 1930s. He was twice Soviet champion - in 1934 and 1937. In 1937 he tied a match against future world champion Mikhail Botvinnik... |
3 | 1924 | Grigory Levenfish Grigory Levenfish Grigory Yakovlevich Levenfish was a leading Jewish Russian chess grandmaster of the 1920s and 1930s. He was twice Soviet champion - in 1934 and 1937. In 1937 he tied a match against future world champion Mikhail Botvinnik... |
4 | 1925 | Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich was a Russian chess master.-Biography:In 1911 Ilya Leontievich Rabinovich tied for 1st with Platz in Saint Petersburg... Peter Romanovsky Peter Romanovsky Peter Arsenievich Romanovsky was a Russian chess International Master, International Arbiter, and author.-Biography:At the beginning of his career in Sankt Petersburg, he shared fourth place in 1908 , tied for 10-11th in 1909 , took second place behind Smorodsky in 1913, and shared first with... Alexander Ilyin-Genevsky Grigory Levenfish Grigory Levenfish Grigory Yakovlevich Levenfish was a leading Jewish Russian chess grandmaster of the 1920s and 1930s. He was twice Soviet champion - in 1934 and 1937. In 1937 he tied a match against future world champion Mikhail Botvinnik... |
5 | 1926 | Alexander Ilyin-Genevsky |
6 | 1928 | Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich was a Russian chess master.-Biography:In 1911 Ilya Leontievich Rabinovich tied for 1st with Platz in Saint Petersburg... |
7 | 1929 | Alexander Ilyin-Genevsky |
8 | 1931 | Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik, Ph.D. was a Soviet and Russian International Grandmaster and three-time World Chess Champion. Working as an electrical engineer and computer scientist at the same time, he was one of the very few famous chess players who achieved distinction in another career while... |
9 | 1932 | Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik, Ph.D. was a Soviet and Russian International Grandmaster and three-time World Chess Champion. Working as an electrical engineer and computer scientist at the same time, he was one of the very few famous chess players who achieved distinction in another career while... |
10 | 1933-4 | Vladimir Alatortsev Vladimir Alatortsev Vladimir Alexeyevich Alatortsev , was a Russian chess grandmaster, organizer, teacher, author, and administrator. During his career, he became champion of both Leningrad and Moscow, and played nine times in the Soviet Chess Championship finals, with his best competitive results in the 1930s... Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin was a Russian chess master.He won thrice Leningrad City Chess Championship in 1933/34 , 1939 and 1947 . He participated many times in USSR Chess Championship. His best result was in 1933 when he shared 3rd... |
11 | 1936 | Viacheslav Ragozin Viacheslav Ragozin Viacheslav Vasilyevich Ragozin was a Soviet chess Grandmaster, an International Arbiter of chess, and a World Correspondence Chess Champion. He was also a chess writer and editor.- Biography :... |
12 | 1937 | Dmitry Ossipovich Rovner Alexander Tolush Alexander Tolush Alexander Kazimirovich Tolush was a Soviet Russian chess grandmaster. He was one of Boris Spassky's mentors. Tolush was born and died in Saint Petersburg... Vitaly Chekhover Vitaly Chekhover Vitaly Chekhover was a Soviet chess player and chess composer. He was also a pianist.- Composing career :... |
13 | 1938 | Alexander Tolush Alexander Tolush Alexander Kazimirovich Tolush was a Soviet Russian chess grandmaster. He was one of Boris Spassky's mentors. Tolush was born and died in Saint Petersburg... |
14 | 1939 | Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin was a Russian chess master.He won thrice Leningrad City Chess Championship in 1933/34 , 1939 and 1947 . He participated many times in USSR Chess Championship. His best result was in 1933 when he shared 3rd... |
15 | 1940 | Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich was a Russian chess master.-Biography:In 1911 Ilya Leontievich Rabinovich tied for 1st with Platz in Saint Petersburg... |
16 | 1941 | unfinished Siege of Leningrad The Siege of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade was a prolonged military operation resulting from the failure of the German Army Group North to capture Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in the Eastern Front theatre of World War II. It started on 8 September 1941, when the last... |
17 | 1943 | Fedor Sklyarov |
18 | 1944 | Abram Model Abram Model Abram Model was a Russian chess master, although he had his master title taken away by the Soviet chess authorities due to lack of results.Abram Yakovlevich Model was born in Daugavpils, Latvia. Then he lived in St. Petersburg .... |
19 | 1945 | Viacheslav Ragozin Viacheslav Ragozin Viacheslav Vasilyevich Ragozin was a Soviet chess Grandmaster, an International Arbiter of chess, and a World Correspondence Chess Champion. He was also a chess writer and editor.- Biography :... |
20 | 1946 | Alexander Tolush Alexander Tolush Alexander Kazimirovich Tolush was a Soviet Russian chess grandmaster. He was one of Boris Spassky's mentors. Tolush was born and died in Saint Petersburg... |
21 | 1947 | Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin was a Russian chess master.He won thrice Leningrad City Chess Championship in 1933/34 , 1939 and 1947 . He participated many times in USSR Chess Championship. His best result was in 1933 when he shared 3rd... Alexander Tolush Alexander Tolush Alexander Kazimirovich Tolush was a Soviet Russian chess grandmaster. He was one of Boris Spassky's mentors. Tolush was born and died in Saint Petersburg... |
22 | 1948 | Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Evgenievich Taimanov is a leading Soviet and Russian chess player and concert pianist.-Chess:He was awarded the International Grandmaster title in 1952 and played in the Candidates Tournament in Zurich in 1953, where he tied for eighth place. From 1946 to 1956, he was among the world's top... |
23 | 1949 | Vitaly Chekhover Vitaly Chekhover Vitaly Chekhover was a Soviet chess player and chess composer. He was also a pianist.- Composing career :... |
24 | 1950 | Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Evgenievich Taimanov is a leading Soviet and Russian chess player and concert pianist.-Chess:He was awarded the International Grandmaster title in 1952 and played in the Candidates Tournament in Zurich in 1953, where he tied for eighth place. From 1946 to 1956, he was among the world's top... |
25 | 1952 | Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Evgenievich Taimanov is a leading Soviet and Russian chess player and concert pianist.-Chess:He was awarded the International Grandmaster title in 1952 and played in the Candidates Tournament in Zurich in 1953, where he tied for eighth place. From 1946 to 1956, he was among the world's top... |
26 | 1953 | Semyon Furman Semyon Furman Semyon Abramovich Furman was a Soviet chess International Grandmaster and trainer. He is best known for developing Anatoly Karpov into a World Chess Champion, but was a formidable player himself, as well as a successful coach for several other world-class players... |
27 | 1954 | Nikolai Georgiyevich Kopilov Nikolai Georgiyevich Kopilov Nikolai Georgiyevich Kopilov , was a Russian chess player, from Novonikolayevsk. He worked as a lecturer in a higher technical training institute. He had three sons .... |
28 | 1955 | Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Lvovich Korchnoi ; pronounced in the original Russian as "karch NOY"; Ви́ктор Льво́вич Корчно́й, born March 23, 1931 is a professional chess player, author and currently the oldest active grandmaster on the tournament circuit... |
29 | 1956 | Pavel Yevseyevich Kondratiev |
30 | 1957 | Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Lvovich Korchnoi ; pronounced in the original Russian as "karch NOY"; Ви́ктор Льво́вич Корчно́й, born March 23, 1931 is a professional chess player, author and currently the oldest active grandmaster on the tournament circuit... Semyon Furman Semyon Furman Semyon Abramovich Furman was a Soviet chess International Grandmaster and trainer. He is best known for developing Anatoly Karpov into a World Chess Champion, but was a formidable player himself, as well as a successful coach for several other world-class players... |
31 | 1958 | Igor Georgyevich Rubel |
32 | 1959 | Boris Spassky Boris Spassky Boris Vasilievich Spassky is a Soviet-French chess grandmaster. He was the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from late 1969 to 1972... |
33 | 1960 | Vladimir Vasilyevich Shishkin |
34 | 1961 | Boris Spassky Boris Spassky Boris Vasilievich Spassky is a Soviet-French chess grandmaster. He was the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from late 1969 to 1972... Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Evgenievich Taimanov is a leading Soviet and Russian chess player and concert pianist.-Chess:He was awarded the International Grandmaster title in 1952 and played in the Candidates Tournament in Zurich in 1953, where he tied for eighth place. From 1946 to 1956, he was among the world's top... |
35 | 1962 | Konstatin Mikhailovich Klaman |
36 | 1963 | Boris Timofeyevich Vladimirov |
37 | 1964 | Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Lvovich Korchnoi ; pronounced in the original Russian as "karch NOY"; Ви́ктор Льво́вич Корчно́й, born March 23, 1931 is a professional chess player, author and currently the oldest active grandmaster on the tournament circuit... |
38 | 1965 | Vadim Zelmanovich Faibisovich |
39 | 1966 | Ye Ruban |
40 | 1967 | Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Vasilyevich Cherepkov was a Soviet and Russian International Master of chess. He was champion of Leningrad three times: 1967, 1968 , and 1982... |
41 | 1968 | Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Vasilyevich Cherepkov was a Soviet and Russian International Master of chess. He was champion of Leningrad three times: 1967, 1968 , and 1982... |
42 | 1969 | Vadim Zelmanovich Faibisovich |
43 | 1970 | Vladimir Ivanovich Karasev |
44 | 1971 | Viacheslav Vulfovich Osnos |
45 | 1972 | Andrey Lukin Andrey Lukin Andrei Lukin is a chess International Master and a chess coach.He was one of the strongest junior chess players in the Soviet Union in the late 60s, qualified for the World Juniors in 1967 ahead of Karpov, Balashov... |
46 | 1973 | Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Evgenievich Taimanov is a leading Soviet and Russian chess player and concert pianist.-Chess:He was awarded the International Grandmaster title in 1952 and played in the Candidates Tournament in Zurich in 1953, where he tied for eighth place. From 1946 to 1956, he was among the world's top... |
47 | 1974 | Vladimir Ivanovich Karasev |
48 | 1975 | Mark Tseitlin Mark Tseitlin Mark Danilovich Tseitlin , is an Israeli International Grandmaster of chess of Russian origin.Mark Tseitlin got acquainted with chess in Leningrad's Pioneers Palace. He is self-taught, having studied without a coach... |
49 | 1976 | Mark Tseitlin Mark Tseitlin Mark Danilovich Tseitlin , is an Israeli International Grandmaster of chess of Russian origin.Mark Tseitlin got acquainted with chess in Leningrad's Pioneers Palace. He is self-taught, having studied without a coach... |
50 | 1977 | Vadim Zelmanovich Faibisovich |
51 | 1978 | Mark Tseitlin Mark Tseitlin Mark Danilovich Tseitlin , is an Israeli International Grandmaster of chess of Russian origin.Mark Tseitlin got acquainted with chess in Leningrad's Pioneers Palace. He is self-taught, having studied without a coach... Andrey Lukin Andrey Lukin Andrei Lukin is a chess International Master and a chess coach.He was one of the strongest junior chess players in the Soviet Union in the late 60s, qualified for the World Juniors in 1967 ahead of Karpov, Balashov... |
52 | 1979 | Igor Alexeyevich Polovodin |
53 | 1980 | Viacheslav Vulfovich Osnos |
54 | 1981 | Andrey Lukin Andrey Lukin Andrei Lukin is a chess International Master and a chess coach.He was one of the strongest junior chess players in the Soviet Union in the late 60s, qualified for the World Juniors in 1967 ahead of Karpov, Balashov... |
55 | 1982 | Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Vasilyevich Cherepkov was a Soviet and Russian International Master of chess. He was champion of Leningrad three times: 1967, 1968 , and 1982... |
56 | 1983 | Andrey Lukin Andrey Lukin Andrei Lukin is a chess International Master and a chess coach.He was one of the strongest junior chess players in the Soviet Union in the late 60s, qualified for the World Juniors in 1967 ahead of Karpov, Balashov... |
57 | 1984 | Leonid Yudasin Leonid Yudasin Leonid Grigoryevich Yudasin is a prominent chess grandmaster and trainer, now living in New York City.Awarded the International Master title in 1982, he secured the International Grandmaster title in 1984, the year he became Leningrad Champion... |
58 | 1985 | Alex Yermolinsky Alex Yermolinsky Alex Yermolinsky is an American chess Grandmaster. In 1993, Yermolinsky won the U.S. Chess Championship, tying for first place with Alexander Shabalov... Vladislav Vorotnikov |
59 | 1986 | Evgeniy Solozhenkin Evgeniy Solozhenkin Evgeniy Solozhenkin is a Russian chess Grandmaster.-Tournament results:* 1986 : wins, at age 20, the 59th Leningrad championship... |
60 | 1987 | Vladimir Epishin Vladimir Epishin Vladimir Epishin is a Russian chess grandmaster with an Elo-rating of 2610.He finished third in the 58th USSR Chess Championship... |
61 | 1988 | Andrey Lukin Andrey Lukin Andrei Lukin is a chess International Master and a chess coach.He was one of the strongest junior chess players in the Soviet Union in the late 60s, qualified for the World Juniors in 1967 ahead of Karpov, Balashov... |
62 | 1989 | Alexey Yuneev |
63 | 1990 | Konstantin Sakaev Konstantin Sakaev Konstantin Sakaev is a Russian chess Grandmaster , from St Petersburg and Russian Champion in 1999. He is also a chess writer. Sakaev is on the staff of the Grandmaster Chess School in St... A.Ivanov |
64 | 1991 | Sergey Ivanov |
65 | 1992 | Sergey Ivanov |
66 | 1993 | Vasily Yemelin |
67 | 1994 | Sergey Ivanov |
68 | 1995 | Peter Svidler Peter Svidler Peter Veniaminovich Svidler is a Russian chess grandmaster.He is six-time Russian champion .... |
69 | 1996 | Alexander Khalifman Alexander Khalifman Alexander Valeryevich Khalifman is a Soviet and Russian chess Grandmaster of Jewish descent; he is also a former FIDE champion.When Khalifman was 6 years old, he was taught chess by his father.... |
70 | 1997 | Alexander Khalifman Alexander Khalifman Alexander Valeryevich Khalifman is a Soviet and Russian chess Grandmaster of Jewish descent; he is also a former FIDE champion.When Khalifman was 6 years old, he was taught chess by his father.... |
71 | 1998 | Evgeniy Solozhenkin Evgeniy Solozhenkin Evgeniy Solozhenkin is a Russian chess Grandmaster.-Tournament results:* 1986 : wins, at age 20, the 59th Leningrad championship... |
72 | 1999 | Evgeny Shaposhnikov |
73 | 2000 | Valery Loginov |
74 | 2001 | Valerij Popov |
75 | 2002 | Vasily Yemelin |
76 | 2003 | Denis Yevseev |
77 | 2004 | Valery Loginov |
78 | 2005 | Valery Loginov |
79 | 2006 | Valerij Popov |
80 | 2007 | Marat Makarov |