Gennadi Ginsburg is a German and formerly Soviet chess Grandmaster (GM). He was born on January 21, 1950, in Kemerovo, Russia. Though he was awarded the International Master (IM) title in 1987, he became a Grandmaster only in 1996. Ginsburg's career was particularly notated for his significant victories over several highly acclaimed chess players, including former World Chess Champions Viswanathan Anand and Anatoly Karpov.
Domestically in Russia, Ginsburg used to participate in the championships held in Moscow, where GM Vladimir Epishin had been his trainer. Ginsburg had also partaken in many tournaments outside Russia, most notably in Germany where he became active in the Bundesliga. He represented the team of Solingen, the 1980/81 German champions.
Ginsburg's career has not been without controversies. He had been involved in a drawn-out court case with Arkady Flom, a promoter in Germany, over allegations of an annulled contract. Besides, he faced criticisms for his allegedly unsportsmanlike behaviour during games. Some incidents included the refusal of handshakes, objections over spectator noise, and disruptions during opponents' thoughts.
Despite such issues, Ginsburg's contributions to the chess world have been significant. His aggressive playing style, marked by daring attacks and an affinity for tactical battles, managed to impress the followers of the game. Standing as a testament to his tactical brilliance was his victory over Anand in 1989, where he displayed superior understanding of the game's subtleties.
Ginsburg's playing career took a back seat due to ill health in the 2000s. However, he continued to stay active in the field of chess as a coach, preparing younger generations for competitive games. His love and dedication for the game continue to inspire chess enthusiasts around the world.