Gregory Kaidanov - Biography

Gregory Kaidanov (born October 11, 1959) is a Grandmaster of chess.

As of April 2007, his Elo rating was 2587, making him the #9 player in the US and the 179th-highest rated player in the world. His peak rating was 2646 in 2002.

He was born in Berdychiv, Ukrainian SSR, USSR, but in 1960 first moved to Kaliningrad, Russian SFSR, USSR.

He learned to play when he was 6 years old from his father. At age 8, he started to attend a chess study group in 'Pioneer's House.'

As an adult, he moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 1991, with his two children and wife. He now coaches the chess team for Sayre School.

He won the 1992 World Open in Philadelphia, and the 1992 U.S. Open.

His first major tournament win came in Moscow 1987, where he defeated Indian star Vishwanathan Anand. He earned the IM title that same year, and was awarded the GM title just a year later in 1988.

He is the head coach of the www.uschessschool.com founded in 2006 by IM Greg Shahade.

He is one of the most active Grandmaster teachers in the United States. In 2009 he was awarded the title of FIDE Senior Trainer.

He is happily married to Valeria Kaidanov and together have three children: Anastasia (April 18, 1983), Boris (November 16, 1986) and Sonya (December 1, 1994).

Highlights of his chess career

• 1972 - Boys under-14 Russian Federation Championship - 1st place
• 1975 - Became a Candidate of Master (analog of expert in US)
• 1978 - Became a Master
• 1987 - Became an International Master
• 1988 - Became a Grandmaster
• 1992 - Won World Open Chess Championship
• 1992 - Won U.S. Open Chess Championship
• 1993 - Won World Team Chess Championship as a member of US team
• 1998 - Silver medal in 1998 Chess Olympiad as a member of US team
• 2001 - Won North American Open Chess Championship
• 2002 - Won Aeroflot Open (one of the strongest open tournaments of all times, with 82 grandmasters participating)
• 2008 - Won the Gausdal Classic, held April 8–16 in Gausdal, Norway, scoring 7/9.

Notable games

• Gregory Kaidanov vs Viswanathan Anand, Moscow 1987, Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack (B13), 1-0
• Gregory Kaidanov vs Evgeny Bareev, Ch URS (1 liga ) 1987, Vienna Game: Stanley, Frankenstein-Dracula Variation (C27), 1-0
• Mark Taimanov vs Gregory Kaidanov, Belgrade 1988, English Opening: Agincourt Defense, Wimpy System (A13), 0-1
• Benjamin Finegold vs Gregory Kaidanov, 12th Chicago Open 2003, Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation (D45), 0-1

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External links

• Gregory Kaidanov at 365Chess.com
• US Chess Federation: Grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov
• Gregory Kaidanov Web site
• Statistics at ChessWorld.net
• "GM Gregory Kaidanov"
• OlimpBase