Biography of international chess grandmaster Gata Kamsky

• Born in 1974, in Siberia Russia. Most of his childhood Gata resided in St. Peterburg, (former Leningrad) where GM Kamsky began laying chess when he was just 7 years old.

At the age of 12, Gata became a chess master and an international chess grandmaster at 16 years old;

• At the age of 9, Gata wins the USSR Championship (under 15) held in Tallin.

• At the age of 10, Gata became the Champion of the Russian sport organization “Spartak”, (for under 20 age group).

• At the age of 11, Gata wins the Viliandi Open, Estonia, where top 40 USSR’s Masters and the total of 120 players were competing;

• At the age of 11, Gata became USSR chess Master. As a reference, Kasparov became master at 15 years of age and Karpov became master at 17 years old.

• From 1985 thru 1989 Gata was able to compete only in a handful of tournaments in Russia. The Russian Chess Federation did not allow him to play as the result of an influence by Gary Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov, preventing development of a new rising chess genius.

• Twice, in 1986 and 1987, at 12 and 13 years of age, Gata became a winner of the Junior (under 20) Championships of the Soviet Union.

   

• Gata made headlines after immigrating to the US in 1989. Shortly in 1990 he became number 7 in the world rating list. In July 1990 he became the youngest player ever to be rated in FIDE's world top ten.

• At the age of 15, in 1989 Gata wins 2nd place in the PCA’s Palma De Mallorca, Spain where about 160 grandmasters were competing;

• In 1989, Gata wins the first place in he Buffalo Open where 8 grandmasters and 45 masters were participating; • Since 1989, GM Kamsky is the highest rated American grandmaster;

• In 1990 Gata won the 1990 Tilburg tournament, successfully competing against 10 world’s highest rated grandmasters.

• Gata qualified for GM title in 1989 but FIDE finally approved GM title in 1990, and fantastic results kept pouring in.

• In the early 90’s Gata won or placed at the very top of quite a few prestigious events, to name a few: • First place in the US championship in 1991, at age 17;

• In 1992, for the first time in the history of American chess, the US team garnered first place in World Team Chess Olympiad when Kamsky was playing on the first board;

• 1993, Gata wins second place in the very strong Biel Interzonal.

• Third place in the super Groningen, PCA qualification event.

• First place in Las Palmas in 1994, and of course his continuous ‘double progress’ in both world championship cycles – FIDE and the PCA. This last run is considered by many one of the most impressive streaks of convincing match results – one that surpasses Kasparov’s run, and second only to Fischer’s.

• Winner of the 1993 FIDE World Chess Championship qualifier matches against GM Paul van der Sterren, of Holland; Score 4.5 –2.5

• Winner of the 1993 FIDE World Chess Championship against Anand, India; the score 6--4

   

• In 1994 Gata won clear first at Las Palmas, and shared first in 1995 at Dos Hermanas.

• Winner of the 1994 FIDE World Chess Championship against Salov, (score 5.5—1.5)    

Russia and qualifying to play in the final world championship match against Anatoly Karpov, Russia;

• At the same time and parallel to the FIDE championship cycle Gata was competing in the 1993-1994 PCA world championship and won against Kramnik, Russia; (score 4.5—1.5)

   

• Winner of the PCA World Chess Championship match against Short, England; (score 5.5—1.5)

   

• In 1994 Gata became the youngest in the chess history challenger for the world chess championship title and had an opportunity to unite two systems the PCA and FIDE. Obviously there were strong political forces such as Karpov and Kasparov that prevented a kid from Brooklyn NY to hold two world championship titles. Thus both the PCA and FIDE engaged in an uncompromising warfare against Gata Kamsky using direct pressure and political intrigues.

• Gata was playing in a two-year 1993-1995 World Chess Championship cycle where the final match should be held in March 1995.

Note that in 1993 Gary Kasparov left FIDE. He created his own Professional Chess Association (PCA) and held the final championship Kasparov-Short match under the umbrella of the PCA so that he did not have to pay FIDE 20% from the prize fund. In 1992 Karpov lost to Short in the championship match, nevertheless he took advantage of the moment and announced himself a world champion without any qualification. He delays the final Kamsky-Karpov match from 1995 to 1996, out of fear of losing to Kamsky in a fair chess game. At the same time, in 1995, Karpov was instrumental in electing a new FIDE president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who replaced Compamanes. From 1992 till 1998 Karpov was practically running FIDE. It was not till 1999 that Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is able to expel an impostor champion Karpov who was responsible for destroying many prominent chess players including Fisher, Korchnoi, Sokolov and Kamsky, who most vividly experienced Karpov’s dishonest fighting methods.

Gata Kamsky’s first attempt to become world champion was in 1995 and if successful Gata being only 20 years old would be the youngest champion in history. However the World Chess Championship match Kamsky-Karpov was intentionally delayed by FIDE and Karpov for one year and finally held in 1996 in Elista, Russia. The match was organized preposterously dishonest with violations of all sports and moral canons all of which left Gata Kamsky less than one in a million chance to win.

What actually occurred in Elista was more shocking than reports about “the Toilet War” flushed from the Kramnik-Topalov match. What people do not know is that the organizers of the 1996 World Championship Kamsky-Karpov match had arranged for a ‘hidden’ back stage computer room just before players’ resting rooms and bathrooms. That room was used by Karpov’s seconds, grandmaster Vasukov who accompanied Karpov in the match with Korchnoi and master Gagarin. Kamsky-senior learned about this room after game 9 of the match.

Karpov’s assistants had four computers, chess board and radio station—for direct connection to Moscow, Karpov’s seconds and his resting room where there were monitors as well. It is clear that professional chess players, like Karpov that reached the level of the world championship do not require ongoing help, however an advice that is received during a critical moment of the game may become a turning point changing a draw to a victory or a loss to a draw. Accordingly, while the 9th game of the match was in progress and players made 8th move, the monitors in a “hidden room” showed moves 19, 20, and…23. The live analysis of all variations was made using the best world’s chess database while the matches were played on a stage. The door to that room was always open to the hallway where A. Karpov was passing thru to get to his resting room. There were numerous cameras and TV monitors that depicted playing hall, hallway and players’ resting rooms. Heavy militia presence would not allow unauthorized people to get to the hallway and the playing hall, everything was calculated to the finest details.

Kamsky-senior protested and requested to stop an advance analysis of chess variations. He called the attention of Mr. Geurt Gijssen, the arbiter, to show what was going on; that Karpov’s people were analyzing positions from 10 to 15 moves in advance with turned on radio station and that any position could be transmitted to the monitors in Karpov’s resting area in a split second. Kamsky-senior demanded to stop an advance analysis and close the room. At that time Gata Kamsky was loosing to Karpov with the score of minus 3. Confronted in the act, Karpov’s people responded that they are planning to write a book and will continue with analysis.

This was a calculated plan: if Kamsky-senior stops the match because of such clear violation, then Karpov will get the total prize money and the title. Was the FIDE president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, aware of what was going on in Elista under his command, is unclear. However Kirsan Ilyumzhinov denied to see Kamsky-senior regarding his complains and further did not take any corrective measures.

Unable to fight against Russian political machine, computers, coaches and seconds working for Karpov, Gata Kamsky decided to stop playing chess as his protest against dirty chess methods and numerous violations of sport’s and ethical rules during the 1996 Kamsky-Karpov match. Gata was morally and psychiatrically devastated and needed almost 10 years before he was able to psychologically rejuvenate. In a mean time he finished his degree in jurisprudence and in 2004 he returned to the professional chess.

   

• The 1994 PCA final Championship Kamsky –Anand match was held in Las Palma, Spain and it was scheduled only 10 days after the FIDE final Kamsky – Salov match ended in India, despite numerous protests. In both PCA and FIDE cycles Kamsky was fighting against the Russian political system that had a duty to protect its Russian Champions. This was the same system that was fighting Bobby Fisher after he became the world Champion winning over Spassky. The reader should be aware that Karpov ‘won’ his title by stealing it from Fisher without even touching the chess board simply by using intimidation, fear and his dirty tactics. The scenario for 1996 FIDE Championship had Kamsky who was destroyed the same way as Fisher. The only difference was that Fisher was ‘killed’ and mentally and psychologically destroyed for the rest of his life and basically did not touch chess after the forfeiture of his title to Karpov. Kamsky was also psychologically destroyed and needed almost 10 years to regenerate before he was able to return to professional chess.

• Gata left chess for college, and graduated with a law degree in 2004.

• In 2004 Gata returned to active competition at the U.S. Championship in San Diego, California and since then he has played in numerous events.

• • In December of 2005 World Cup, once again GM Kamsky was the only American chess player to qualify to play for the world title in the spring of 2007 world championship qualifier matches.

• The second place at the MTel Masters (2006) the world’s strongest chess competition of the year held in Sofia, Bulgaria. The matches were between the six of the foremost chess players in the world including the world champion, and they were broadcast live on Bulgarian, Russian and Indian television to hundreds of thousands of viewers around the world. • A bronze medal with the U.S. team at the 37th Chess Olympiad (2006)

• November 2007 GM Kamsky shared the third and fourth place at the World Blitz, Moscow, Russia the competition was held at the famous Red Square.

• December 2007, GM Kamsky became the winner of the 2007 World Chess Cup, the strongest professional tournament. Over one hundred thousand professional chess players worldwide were competing for 128 spots in 2007 World Chess Cup, organized by FIDE. The competition was held in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia under the Olympic Knock-Out system and is considered the strongest and toughest competition among grandmasters. The United States now has a shot at the World Championship as GM Kamsky fought thru to the top of this pyramid, winning all matches in the 2007 World Cup.

• First started in 1998, as a bi-annual World Championships under the Olympic Knock-Out system, it is considered to be the most grueling competition among grandmasters. The winners of these grandiose World Chess Cup competitions in the prior years were given the title of the World Champion and they were the following grandmasters: Khalifman of Russia; Ruslan Ponomarev of Ukraine; Rustem Kacimdzanov of Uzbekistan However, the winner of 2005 World Chess Cup, GM Levon Aronian, Armenia, did not receive the title of the World Champion because the FIDE has made changes to its official rules. By the time an American GM Kamsky won the 2007 World Chess Cup, FIDE had changed its rules even further. Therefore instead of receiving the title of the World Champion, Kamsky has to compete and win two more title matches. First, is the match against the ex-champion, Vaselin Topalov of Bulgaria, and then to play against the winner of the match Kramnik- Anand which will be held in October of 2008. FIDE gave big advantage to Kramnik and Topalov, both players did not compete in any qualifier tournaments and both were given advantage over other chess players. If FIDE rules were not changed Gata Kamsky would be playing Anand, not Topalov. This shows unequal and preferential treatment by FIDE.

• These specifics are being said so that readers are aware of what gigantic character and mental strength are required in order to succeed and continue to remain on top on this treacherous road to the title of the World Champion.

• Recognition

• GM Kamsky’s chess playing talent and skills were recognized and praised by the United States President George Bush Sr., the United States President Bill Clinton; NYS Senator Serphin R. Maltese, New York State Governor Mario Cuomo, the New York State legislature; and the US Congressman Jack Quinn of New York;

   

• In 1989, at the age of 14, GM Kamsky was presented with a symbolic key to the city of Buffalo, the State of New York;

• In 1990 there was a documentary movie made by the Russian television network about Kamsky’s life entitled “The Kamsky’s defense”; it was shown in Russian cinemas and had a significant success;

• In 1990-91 GM Kamsky was selected for sponsorship by the international French company IMMOPAR with assistance of the Honorable Fernando Arrabal the famous French and Spanish poet, screen writer and artist;

• In 1991-92, GM Kamsky was selected as a recipient of prestigious stipends sponsored by the American Chess Foundation;

• GM Kamsky has been the subject of numerous press releases by the US Chess Federation, the governing body for American chess;

• There are endless newspaper articles and publications written about Kamsky in the New York Times, Daily News, etc.

• Numerous professional chess magazines such as “Chess Life” and “New in Chess have written about GM Kamsky;

• GM Kamsky was on the cover of the March 2006 and 2007 issues of “Chess Life”, as the only US qualifier to be selected to compete in 2007 and 2008 World Championship.

• GM Kamsky’s professional services include: participation in live chess competitions and other chess events, live chess entertainment, simultaneous chess exhibitions-matches played against large groups of players, sometimes as many as fifty (50) at a time.

• GM Kamsky has been invited to numerous press conferences worldwide during chess tournaments to promote chess agenda;

• He participated in more than 70 chess competitions in the US and internationally and is a winner of numerous US and international grandmaster competitions. The database of his rated games from 1986 to 2007 consists of 826 games. Almost 92 exhibition games, and blitz games are excluded from this statistic.

• GM Kamsky travels worldwide to compete in chess tournaments and other chess events in the United States, Russia, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, Monaco, Germany, India, Argentina, the Philippines, Bulgaria, Hungary, etc.