Born: June 24, 1968 in Minsk, USSR (now Belarus)
Playing Style:
Gelfand can be said to have a universal style and the ability to play any kind of position, including tactically demanding ones. However, his positional play is often seen as his greatest strength, and on balance his play tends to be solid rather than spectacular. He has also been noted for his well-researched opening preparation.
World Championship Tournaments and Matches:
2007: Finished in a tie for second place (8.0/14) at the 2007 World Chess Championship Tournament (won by Viswanathan Anand)
Notable Accomplishments:
- Seven-time World Championship Candidate
- Won three Chess Olympiad medals playing for the Soviet Union and Israel (two team, one individual)
- Shared first at 1992 Wijk aan Zee tournament
