Lev Osipovich Alburt is a Ukrainian-American chess Grandmaster known for his contributions to chess, including as an author and trainer. Alburt was born on August 21, 1945, in Orenburg, Russia and emigrated to the US in 1979.
Before moving to the US, Alburt was a notable chess player in the Soviet Union, winning multiple championships at city, republic, and Union levels. He was a three-time Ukrainian Champion and represented the Soviet Union in the World Student Team Championships, contributing to their victories.
Upon moving to the US, Alburt's success continued. He won the U.S. Championship three times and represented the US in several World Chess Olympiad events. In the 1986 World Chess Olympiad, Alburt earned the top reserve board and helped the US to win bronze. He also served as the US Team Captain in the 1988 Olympiad.
Alburt has made significant contributions to chess in more than just playing. He has written numerous instructional books for every level of chess proficiency and is recognized for his educational and training abilities. His works include 'Pirc Alert!' and 'Chess Strategy for the Tournament Player'. Alburt has also written several chess courses, including 'Comprehensive Chess Course', a series of books aimed at beginners to intermediate players.
Alburt has been committed to promoting chess and has received several awards for his outstanding chess problem compositions. He has also trained many top players, including Grandmaster Alexander Stripunsky and New York State Elementary Chess Champion Gustav J Sukow.
In 1984, Alburt received the prestigious Cramer Award for "best chess columnist" and in 2004, Chess Journalists of America named Alburt "Chess Journalist of the Year". He is a highly respected figure in the world of chess and his contributions both as a player and an instructor have greatly impacted the chess community.