Boris Gelfand
GM
Player Details
Boris Gelfand is an Israeli chess grandmaster and one of the defining elite players of the post-Soviet and early computer-era generations. Born in Minsk and representing Israel since the late 1990s, he built a career around classical depth, opening precision, and remarkable longevity at the highest level. Gelfand won the FIDE World Cup in 2009, captured the 2011 Candidates Matches, and earned the right to challenge Viswanathan Anand for the World Championship in 2012. He also remained a serious presence in major international events well into his fifties, staying inside the FIDE top 100 in April 2026. His profile combines deep strategic understanding with world-class preparation in some of chess’s most theoretical systems, making him one of the most respected professionals of his era and a reference point for serious classical chess.
Playing Style
Gelfand’s style is deeply classical, highly disciplined, and built on exact preparation. He has never depended on pure chaos or speed alone; instead, he tends to win by understanding structure, timing, and piece coordination better than his opponents. At his best, he is especially dangerous in heavy-theory openings where small refinements can shape the whole middlegame. His games also show unusual patience: he is comfortable defending slightly worse positions and equally comfortable pressing long endgames when a small edge appears. Even late in his career, his chess has remained principled, practical, and hard to break down.
Best Games
- 2009vs Ruslan PonomariovFIDE World Cup FinalGelfand won the final on tiebreak and took one of the biggest knockout titles of his career. That victory was central to his late-career resurgence at the very top.
- 2011vs Alexander GrischukCandidates Matches FinalHis victory over Grischuk in Kazan made Gelfand the official challenger for the World Championship. In career terms, this was the result that pushed him into the defining match of his life.
- 2012vs Viswanathan AnandWorld Chess Championship, Game 8Gelfand’s Game 8 win equalized the match and remains one of the most famous preparation-driven victories in modern championship play. It showed he could strike directly in a world title match against an all-time great.
- 2025vs Richard RapportFIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team ChampionshipEven in his mid-fifties, Gelfand produced a notable recent win over Rapport in London. It was a strong reminder that his practical strength and endgame resilience still translate against elite opposition.
Opening Repertoire
Gelfand’s opening identity is rooted in classical main lines and deep preparation. His repertoire has long been associated with strategic 1.d4 systems as White and highly respected theoretical defences as Black.
- Catalan Opening1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3
- Queen’s Gambit structures1.d4 d5 2.c4
- Grünfeld Defence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5
- Sveshnikov Sicilian / Petroff Defence1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 / 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
Career Highlights
- Grandmaster title1989.
- FIDE World Cup winner2009.
- Candidates Matches winner2011.
- World Championship challenger2012. Six-time World Championship candidate.
- Peak world rankingNo. 3.
- Peak FIDE classical rating2777.
Career Highlights
- Grandmaster title1989.
- FIDE World Cup winner2009.
- Candidates Matches winner2011.
- World Championship challenger2012. Six-time World Championship candidate.
- Peak world rankingNo. 3.
- Peak FIDE classical rating2777.