2020 is the year to HELP THE WORLD. 

I am hiking across the US.  Once I finish the Appalachian Trail, I will complete the Pacific Crest and end with the Continental Divide.  

As I travel, I will be stopping at local food banks delivering food.  Please join in my mission to help others.  Donate whatever you can and I will make sure that the money is used to help feed those in need.  I have already earmarked 30% of my recent chess winnings toward helping my cause.

Two other charities that have my full support is the RainbowGermany.org and Charity Foundation for Different Children https://www.razniedeti.ru/  

Played two tournaments and blindfold chess exhibition in Austraila.  In the video below, Eric Rosen commentates one of my games.

Sunway Stiges 2019

Fun to share the journey with good friends as my girlfriend Ivanna as well as Gene Yanayt joined for the Euro trip. Gene and I played classical tournament in Rochefort and quickly after headed on to compete in Cappelle la Grande rapid.

Downtown Gent meeting with Laurence good friend and developer of chessimo. We got to know each other as well as his parents during my trip to New Zealand for the open tournament last year, nice to get together once again!

Played a series of tournaments both classical and rapid this past year.  After spending some time in St. Petersburg, I headed to Las Vegas for the National Open and then to Philly for the 13st Philadelphia International.  I made it back to Russia and on to Eurpoe to play in tournaments in Greece, Spain and France.  Check out the links below for games from just a few of the tournaments this past year.

Fun presentation (on the table) at Hawaii Insurance Statistics Conference together with my good friend and colleague (Dr) Ross Johnson!!! Scientific comparison of statistical probabilities of insurance risk and the probability of chess moves, presented in a fun way by an insurance Actuary and a chess Grandmaster.  Met my UMBC college (University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Catonsville, Maryland) mate Patrick at CAS!  Great chess camp!

Had a couple good wins.  I played the Rapid XIV American Continental Chess Championship in San Paulo, Brazil and went on to win Pacific Open in California and then back to St. Petersberg to play in the Korchnoi Memorial and then on to Chigorin Memorial.  Check out some of my games at the links below.

Rio De Janeiro

Fun times in Brazil

Pictured with FIDE President  Arkady Dvorkovich onlooking while I play against famous Russian entrepreneur and banker Oleg Tinkov at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum @SPIEF2019 

Decisive rounds were 7 & 8 vs rating favorites French Champions Lagarde & Moussard