Emil Sutovsky — chess gm with roots in the Russian Empire
Emil Sutovsky is an Israeli chess grandmaster born in Baku, Azerbaijan (USSR) who became Director General of FIDE (the World Chess Federation). A strong tournament player with victories in major European championships, he has become one of the most influential administrators in global chess.
Tracing the roots — Baku (Azerbaijan)
Born in Baku in 1977 and emigrating to Israel, Sutovsky is part of the enormous wave of Soviet-born Jewish chess players who have represented Israel and transformed its position in world chess. His rise to lead FIDE reflects the extraordinary overrepresentation of post-Soviet players in chess governance.
Director General of FIDE (World Chess Federation).
.svg?width=900)
Baku (Azerbaijan). At the time, this region lay within the Russian Empire, which spanned from Poland to the Pacific.