Zigurds Lanka is a Latvian chess Grandmaster and chess trainer. He was awarded the International Master (IM) title in 1990 and the Grandmaster (GM) title in 1992. Lanka has represented Latvia in various Chess Olympiads, including in 1992, 2000, 2002, and 2004.
Throughout his career, he has scored victories over notable players such as Vladimir Kramnik and Ivan Sokolov. He has also written columns analyzing chess problems and studies for the Latvian chess magazine "Sahs", where he served as an editor in the 1990s.
Besides his individual achievements, he has also worked as a trainer for various successful chess players, including being the second for former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik in 1996-1998 and coaching Indian Grandmaster Pentala Harikrishna.
In addition to chess, Lanka is also a certified epigenetic orthodontist.