25 Facts About Alexander Morozevich

Alexander Sergeyevich Morozevich is a Russian chess player.

Alexander Morozevich was awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE in 1994.

Alexander Morozevich has won both the Melody Amber and Biel tournaments several times.

Alexander Morozevich is known for his aggressive and unusual playing style.

Alexander Morozevich's peak ranking was second in the world in July 2008.

In 1997 Alexander Morozevich was the top seed at the World Junior Chess Championship, but lost to the eventual champion, American Tal Shaked, in a bishop and knight checkmate.

That same year, Alexander Morozevich participated in the FIDE World Championship, where he eliminated former world champion Vassily Smyslov in the first round.

Alexander Morozevich was knocked out in the second round by Lembit Oll.

In beginning of 2000 Alexander Morozevich participated at the Corus chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee and finished fifth out of 14 players.

In Wijk aan Zee 2001 Alexander Morozevich became the first player to defeat World Champion Vladimir Kramnik after beating him with black.

Alexander Morozevich shared fifth together with Alexei Shirov, behind Kasparov, Anand, Vassily Ivanchuk and Kramnik.

In September 2005, Alexander Morozevich played in the FIDE World Chess Championship 2005 in San Luis, Argentina, taking fourth place behind Veselin Topalov, Anand and Peter Svidler.

Alexander Morozevich shared second place with Magnus Carlsen, behind Anand, at the 2007 Linares tournament.

Alexander Morozevich was the only player who managed to defeat the reigning world champion Vladimir Kramnik.

In December 2007 Alexander Morozevich won the Russian Championship for the second time, winning the last six rounds.

In February 2012 Alexander Morozevich came first in the Vladimir Petrov Memorial, a rapidplay tournament with the time control of 15 minutes plus 6 seconds per move.

Alexander Morozevich won the Magistral Ciutat de Barcelona tournament in 2015 on tiebreak over Axel Bachmann, having played more games with the black pieces.

Alexander Morozevich had great successes in team competitions: in the Chess Olympiad he won the gold medal with the Russian team three times, one silver medal and a bronze medal.

Alexander Morozevich won the gold medal in the World Team Championships in 2005 in which he beat the member of the Chinese team in the last round in a must win situation.

Alexander Morozevich won two gold medals in the European Team Championships.

Alexander Morozevich is known to be an aggressive player with an unorthodox opening repertoire.

In 2007, Alexander Morozevich published, along with co-author Vladimir Barsky, a book about the Chigorin Defense, called The Chigorin Defence According to Alexander Morozevich.

Alexander Morozevich is considered to be one of the best blindfold chess players in the world.

Alexander Morozevich has confirmed that status in blindfold sections of Melody Amber tournaments:.

Alexander Morozevich has a Go ranking of 1 dan as of 2018.