I. Nikolayev's photo of Russian Fed. semi-final Ch. Voronezh, USSR 1989
Semi-Final of Russia Federation, Voronezh 1989 TD IM Nikolai Kopylov GM Vladimir Kramnik GM Vladimir Belikov Dmitry Chuprikov, now an FM Alexander Bragin, now an IM Alexander Lukovnikov, now an FM IM Valery Zilberstein Vitaly Terentiev, now an FM Candidate Master Seliverstov (inactive) Valery Lisik, now IM GM Sergei Beshukov Ruslan Yandarbiev, now IM Oleg Svirin, now FM GM Igor Khenkin GM Sergey Arkhipov Oleg Biriukov, now IM IM Alexander Zakharov, participant of two finals of USSR Championships TD TD Russian Chess Federation representative Chief TD GM Alexander Obukhov FM Igor Nikolayev Victor Zhmurov, now FM Vladimir Vilkov, now FM GM Alex Baburin GM Viktor Kuporosov GM Aleksandr Poluljahov Alexander Rogovsky, now IM medical doctor of the tournament Alexander Raetsky, now GM Medical nurse of the tournament Alexander Volzhin, now GM Igor Lukyanov, NM - (inactive) Alexei Gorbatov, now IM Alexander Belousov, NM GM Gennady Tunik

Twelve guys from that semi-final of the 1987 Russian Chess Championship became GMs. One guy, the youngest, became World Champion. And one guy now has fun playing chess at the RCC! Here is my draw with the 13-year-old Kramnik. Editor's note: move the mouse over the faces in the photo to reveal the identities of the twelve who became, or already were, GMs, as well as the young Igor Nikolayev.

The second man in the first row is the legendary IM Nikolai Kopylov, the oldest contender at 79. He never became a GM but he earned the nickname, "Champion of Champions." Why? In the 19th USSR Championship (1951) he beat three champions: Botvinnik - world champion, Keres - USSR champion, Petrosian - Moscow champion. In his long chess career he also beat such stars as Smyslov (1951), Bondarevsky (1951) and Taimanov (1952). He drew Bronstein (1947) and the young Karpov (1970). And those are only the most famous names. He successfully played many other strong GMs. His original style remained a puzzle for many. If I add now that Kopylov was not even a full-time chess professional, you will understand the caliber of this talented man. He had a doctorate degree, worked as a university professor, and died in 1995 playing in a chess tournament.

(-Igor Nikolayev 1/17/2009)