Alexander Morozevich – "The Genius of Chaos"

Alexander Morozevich is a Russian Grandmaster who was the most creative player of the 2000s. He peaked at World #2 in 2008 with a massive rating of 2788.

Because he creates complications out of thin air. He often plays moves that computers dislike, but which create practical problems that even Super-GMs cannot solve over the board.

He believes that understanding a position is more important than objective equality. He revitalized forgotten openings like the Chigorin Defense and the French Defense sidelines.

He is arguably one of the greatest blindfold players ever. He dominated the "Amber" Blindfold tournaments for years, often crushing the world elite without seeing the board.

In July 2008, he reached the number 2 spot on the FIDE rating list, second only to Viswanathan Anand, proving his unique style worked at the very top.

He won the incredibly strong Russian Championship twice (1998 and 2007), emerging victorious from the toughest national field in the world.

He single-handedly brought the Chigorin Defense (1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6) back into elite practice, scoring wins against top GMs.

He won the Amber Blindfold section multiple times (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008), showcasing his supreme visualization skills.

In the 1994 Chess Olympiad, he scored an unbelievable 7.5/9 on his debut, helping Russia win Gold.

He famously used the risky Albin Counter-Gambit to beat Super-GMs, proving that "bad" openings are only bad if you don't know how to play them.

He won the Biel Grandmaster Tournament three times (2003, 2004, 2006), often with massive scores.

Playing for the "Wood Green" team, he once scored a perfect 11/11 season in the 4NCL.

He was one of the eight players selected for the 2007 World Championship tournament in Mexico City.

Morozevich coined the term to describe his style: playing all three results, refusing draws, and creating maximum tension on every move.

With Black, he was lethal in the French Defense, often choosing the sharpest lines against 3.Nc3 or 3.Nd2.

He won the Pamplona tournament with a stunning score of 6/7, a performance rating of nearly 2900.

He is a strong amateur player of the Asian board game Go (Baduk), which he says helps his strategic vision in chess.

His games are often cited as the best examples of "Anti-Computer" chess—positions where long-term compensation confuses engines.

He has scored spectacular victories over Viswanathan Anand, often by dragging the World Champion into chaotic positions.

Later in his career, he helped coach stars like Ian Nepomniachtchi, passing on his dynamic wisdom.

He occasionally employed the King's Gambit and other romantic openings in blitz and rapid, delighting fans.

He won the combined (Blindfold + Rapid) standings at Amber three times, proving he was the ultimate all-rounder.

Opponents famously complained that they couldn't prepare for Morozevich because he played almost every opening existence.

Along with Ivanchuk and Rapport, he is considered one of the last true romantics of the silicon age.