Alexander Vladimirovich Cherniaev is a Russian-British chess Grandmaster (GM) who was born on 19 February 1969 in Moscow, Russia. He earned his GM title in 2004 and has since been a key figure in the world of chess. Cherniaev is known for his work as a coach and chess writer. He has written seven chess books to date and also contributes as an author and co-author of articles on the subject.
For his competitive accomplishments, Cherniaev has won many tournaments in the UK, Russia, and other countries around the world. In 2006, he triumphed in the Porto San Giorgio International chess competition. Notably, he also won the Russian Senior Championship (50+) in 2019.
Cherniaev is well-known for his intriguing and innovative opening play. He's considered an expert on the Alekhine Defence and the Centre Game. He particularly favors the 1.e4 e5 opening, often referred to as the King's Pawn Opening, turning to it frequently in his matches. Alongside his playing, coaching, and writing careers, He has also served as a commentator at prestigious chess events.
His most recent performance was in the London Chess Classic GM Invitational in 2021.