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GM Boris Alterman
Chess Grandmaster, World-Class Coach & Founder of ChessWorld
Over 30 years of competitive and coaching experience, bringing Grandmaster-quality chess education to 5,000+ schools & kindergartens worldwide.
A Grandmaster Who Teaches Kids
Boris Alterman was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine in 1970 and learned chess at the age of 7. By 15 he was already a national junior champion. By 22 he was a Grandmaster with a FIDE rating above 2600 — one of the top 50 players in the world.
His journey took him from the Botvinnik–Kasparov Chess School — the most prestigious chess academy in Soviet history — to the top levels of international competition. He won GM tournaments across Europe and Asia, served as Garry Kasparov's personal second in a globally watched match against The World, and helped guide the Deep Junior computer team to three World Championship titles.
But what defines Boris today isn't his playing career — it's his dedication to teaching the next generation. He holds the FIDE Senior Trainer title, the highest coaching certification in international chess. And in 2015 he co-founded ChessWorld (formerly ChessMatec), a digital platform purpose-built to make Grandmaster-quality chess education accessible to children ages 5–12 worldwide.
ChessWorld is now used actively in Israel and in chess educational programs around the world — partnering with schools, clubs, and national programs to bring structured, engaging chess learning to young players everywhere.
Credentials & Achievements
Why ChessWorld's curriculum is built on a foundation no other kids' chess app can match.
FIDE Grandmaster (1992)
Earned the Grandmaster title at the 1992 Manila Chess Olympiad — one of the highest titles in chess, held by fewer than 2,000 players worldwide.
FIDE Senior Trainer (2010)
FIDE's highest coaching certification, recognising elite-level ability to develop and train top chess players of all ages.
Peak World Ranking: Top 50
Reached a peak FIDE rating of 2616 and world ranking of No. 49 (1997–1999), placing Boris among the best 50 chess players on the planet.
Author: The Alterman Gambit Guide
Author of the acclaimed Alterman Gambit Guide series (White Gambits & Black Gambits), published by Quality Chess and praised by coaches worldwide.
Kasparov's Trusted Second
In 1999, Garry Kasparov personally selected Boris to supervise the Kasparov Chess Academy and serve as his official second in the legendary Kasparov vs. The World match.
Deep Junior World Champion Team
Member of the Deep Junior supercomputer chess team as opening-book developer. Deep Junior won the World Computer Chess Championship in 2001–02, 2004, and 2006.
Career Timeline
Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Started playing chess at age 7.
Won the Ukrainian Under-18 Junior Championship at just 15 years old.
Accepted into the legendary Botvinnik–Kasparov Chess School.
Shared 1st–2nd place at the Soviet Junior Championship with Gata Kamsky, ahead of future world-class players Shirov, Akopian, and Kramnik.
Immigrated to Israel. Earned both IM and GM norms within a single year.
Awarded GM title at Manila Olympiad. FIDE rating breaks 2600 — top 50 in the world.
Won strong GM tournaments in Haifa, Bad Homburg, Rishon LeZion, Beijing (twice), and Munich.
Invited by Garry Kasparov to lead Kasparov Chess Academy education projects and serve as official second in Kasparov vs. The World.
Joined the Deep Junior team. The program won three World Computer Chess Championships under his opening guidance.
Awarded the FIDE Senior Trainer title — the top coaching certification in international chess.
Co-founded ChessMatec (now ChessWorld) — a digital chess learning platform designed specifically for children ages 5–12.
ChessWorld is active in Israel and chess educational programs around the world, reaching 5,000+ schools & kindergartens globally.
Built Together
ChessWorld is a family project. GM Boris Alterman built the platform together with his wife Luba Alterman — Chess Master and curriculum specialist — whose expertise in chess education program design shapes every lesson on the platform. Meet the full story →
Give Your Child a Grandmaster's Guidance
ChessWorld's curriculum was built from the ground up by GM Boris Alterman — combining decades of competitive and coaching expertise into a fun, structured learning path for children ages 5–12.
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