Leonid Alexandrovich Shamkovich was a chess grandmaster from Russia. Born in 1923, he earned the International Master title in 1965 and the Grandmaster title in 1969. He was best known for his skill in the opening and middlegame, although he was also recognized for his endgame play.
He played in 10 USSR championships and was the Moscow champion in 1968. He shared first place in the 1976 U.S. Open Chess Championship and won the World Senior Championship in 1992. Shamkovich moved to the United States in 1975 and represented the U.S. in the Chess Olympiads of 1978 and 1980.
Shamkovich contributed to many publications as a chess author and journalist, both in Russian and English. Some of his notable books include "The Modern Chess Sacrifice", "The Attacking Manual: Basic Principles", and "Chess Tactics for the Tournament Player".
Shamkovich passed away in 2005 in Brooklyn, New York. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease which affected his ability to play chess in his last years. Despite this, he continued to provide chess instructions.
His chess style, characterized by aggression, combinative flair and strategic depth, was appreciated by his colleagues and spectators. He was known for his contributions to the Sicilian Defence and King's Indian Defence in chess.