Grandmaster Boris Gulko

Grandmaster Boris Gulko was born in Erfurt in former East Germany on February 9, 1947, but spent most of his early years in the Soviet Union. Boris became an international master in 1975 and a grandmaster in 1976. One year after that he won one of the strongest tournaments of the time, the national championship of the USSR.

During the late 70's Boris and his wife Anna tried to emigrate but they couldn't get permission to leave the Soviet Union and had to endure persecution as "refusniks". Boris and Anna weren't allowed in top-level chess competition until 1986 when, under international pressure, the authorities granted them exit visas. Today the Gulkos live in Fairlawn, New Jersey.

Boris has been a candidate for the World Championship title several times. He also has represented the U.S. team several times at chess Olympiads and was member of the team that brought home the gold during the World Team Championship event in Lucerne, 1993.

View his rating and tournament history.