Alexander Shabalov

Inducted 2015 b. 1967

United States of America

Biography

Noted for his sharp and uncompromising style, Alexander Shabalov learned to play chess in his native Latvia. He immigrated to the United States in 1992, and since his arrival, he has won the U.S. Chess Championship four times (1993, 2000, 2003, and 2007). He also represented his new homeland in four Chess Olympiads, including in 1998 when the team finished second. Shabalov has won many major open tournaments in the United States. These victories include first place finishes in the 1993, 2003, 2015 and 2016 U.S. Opens and ties for first in the 1999, 2007, and 2009 U.S. Opens, among triumphs in many other competitions. The opening sequence 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.g4 is named after him.

Notable Games

Juri Vetemaa vs. Alexander Shabalov

Saint Louis Chess Club | Alex Shabalov and Gregory Kaidanov Compete in the 2010 U.S. Chess Championship (2010) | Courtesy of the Saint Louis Chess Club