The Leningrad City Chess Championship is a chess tournament

Chess tournament

A chess tournament is a series of chess games played competitively to determine a winning individual or team. Since the first international chess tournament in London, 1851, chess tournaments have become the standard form of chess competition among serious players.Today, the most recognized chess...

 held officially in the city of Leningrad

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...

, Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

 starting from 1920. The city was called Petrograd from 1914 to 1924, then Leningrad until 1991, and Saint Petersburg afterwards. Only players born or living in or around the city were allowed to participate in this event.

The championship continued to be played, in spite of tremendous difficulties, also during the Siege of Leningrad

Siege of Leningrad

The Siege of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade was a prolonged military operation resulting from the failure of the German Army Group North to capture Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in the Eastern Front theatre of World War II. It started on 8 September 1941, when the last...

 in the Second World War, though the tournament of 1941 could not be finished and that of 1942, the most difficult year of the blockade, could not be organized.

The winners include World champions Mikhail Botvinnik

Mikhail Botvinnik

Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik, Ph.D. was a Soviet and Russian International Grandmaster and three-time World Chess Champion. Working as an electrical engineer and computer scientist at the same time, he was one of the very few famous chess players who achieved distinction in another career while...

 (1931 and 1932), Boris Spassky

Boris Spassky

Boris Vasilievich Spassky is a Soviet-French chess grandmaster. He was the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from late 1969 to 1972...

 (1959 and 1961) and FIDE World Champion Alexander Khalifman

Alexander Khalifman

Alexander Valeryevich Khalifman is a Soviet and Russian chess Grandmaster of Jewish descent; he is also a former FIDE champion.When Khalifman was 6 years old, he was taught chess by his father....

 (1996 and 1997).

List of winners

#	Year	Winner
1	1920	Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich was a Russian chess master.-Biography:In 1911 Ilya Leontievich Rabinovich tied for 1st with Platz in Saint Petersburg...
2	1922	Grigory Levenfish Grigory Levenfish Grigory Yakovlevich Levenfish was a leading Jewish Russian chess grandmaster of the 1920s and 1930s. He was twice Soviet champion - in 1934 and 1937. In 1937 he tied a match against future world champion Mikhail Botvinnik...
3	1924	Grigory Levenfish Grigory Levenfish Grigory Yakovlevich Levenfish was a leading Jewish Russian chess grandmaster of the 1920s and 1930s. He was twice Soviet champion - in 1934 and 1937. In 1937 he tied a match against future world champion Mikhail Botvinnik...
4	1925	Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich was a Russian chess master.-Biography:In 1911 Ilya Leontievich Rabinovich tied for 1st with Platz in Saint Petersburg...   Peter Romanovsky Peter Romanovsky Peter Arsenievich Romanovsky was a Russian chess International Master, International Arbiter, and author.-Biography:At the beginning of his career in Sankt Petersburg, he shared fourth place in 1908 , tied for 10-11th in 1909 , took second place behind Smorodsky in 1913, and shared first with...   Alexander Ilyin-Genevsky  Grigory Levenfish Grigory Levenfish Grigory Yakovlevich Levenfish was a leading Jewish Russian chess grandmaster of the 1920s and 1930s. He was twice Soviet champion - in 1934 and 1937. In 1937 he tied a match against future world champion Mikhail Botvinnik...
5	1926	Alexander Ilyin-Genevsky
6	1928	Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich was a Russian chess master.-Biography:In 1911 Ilya Leontievich Rabinovich tied for 1st with Platz in Saint Petersburg...
7	1929	Alexander Ilyin-Genevsky
8	1931	Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik, Ph.D. was a Soviet and Russian International Grandmaster and three-time World Chess Champion. Working as an electrical engineer and computer scientist at the same time, he was one of the very few famous chess players who achieved distinction in another career while...
9	1932	Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik, Ph.D. was a Soviet and Russian International Grandmaster and three-time World Chess Champion. Working as an electrical engineer and computer scientist at the same time, he was one of the very few famous chess players who achieved distinction in another career while...
10	1933-4	Vladimir Alatortsev Vladimir Alatortsev Vladimir Alexeyevich Alatortsev , was a Russian chess grandmaster, organizer, teacher, author, and administrator. During his career, he became champion of both Leningrad and Moscow, and played nine times in the Soviet Chess Championship finals, with his best competitive results in the 1930s...   Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin was a Russian chess master.He won thrice Leningrad City Chess Championship in 1933/34 , 1939 and 1947 . He participated many times in USSR Chess Championship. His best result was in 1933 when he shared 3rd...
11	1936	Viacheslav Ragozin Viacheslav Ragozin Viacheslav Vasilyevich Ragozin was a Soviet chess Grandmaster, an International Arbiter of chess, and a World Correspondence Chess Champion. He was also a chess writer and editor.- Biography :...
12	1937	Dmitry Ossipovich Rovner  Alexander Tolush Alexander Tolush Alexander Kazimirovich Tolush was a Soviet Russian chess grandmaster. He was one of Boris Spassky's mentors. Tolush was born and died in Saint Petersburg... Vitaly Chekhover Vitaly Chekhover Vitaly Chekhover was a Soviet chess player and chess composer. He was also a pianist.- Composing career :...
13	1938	Alexander Tolush Alexander Tolush Alexander Kazimirovich Tolush was a Soviet Russian chess grandmaster. He was one of Boris Spassky's mentors. Tolush was born and died in Saint Petersburg...
14	1939	Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin was a Russian chess master.He won thrice Leningrad City Chess Championship in 1933/34 , 1939 and 1947 . He participated many times in USSR Chess Championship. His best result was in 1933 when he shared 3rd...
15	1940	Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich Ilya Rabinovich was a Russian chess master.-Biography:In 1911 Ilya Leontievich Rabinovich tied for 1st with Platz in Saint Petersburg...
16	1941	unfinished Siege of Leningrad The Siege of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade was a prolonged military operation resulting from the failure of the German Army Group North to capture Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in the Eastern Front theatre of World War II. It started on 8 September 1941, when the last...
17	1943	Fedor Sklyarov
18	1944	Abram Model Abram Model Abram Model was a Russian chess master, although he had his master title taken away by the Soviet chess authorities due to lack of results.Abram Yakovlevich Model was born in Daugavpils, Latvia. Then he lived in St. Petersburg ....
19	1945	Viacheslav Ragozin Viacheslav Ragozin Viacheslav Vasilyevich Ragozin was a Soviet chess Grandmaster, an International Arbiter of chess, and a World Correspondence Chess Champion. He was also a chess writer and editor.- Biography :...
20	1946	Alexander Tolush Alexander Tolush Alexander Kazimirovich Tolush was a Soviet Russian chess grandmaster. He was one of Boris Spassky's mentors. Tolush was born and died in Saint Petersburg...
21	1947	Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin Georgy Lisitsin was a Russian chess master.He won thrice Leningrad City Chess Championship in 1933/34 , 1939 and 1947 . He participated many times in USSR Chess Championship. His best result was in 1933 when he shared 3rd...   Alexander Tolush Alexander Tolush Alexander Kazimirovich Tolush was a Soviet Russian chess grandmaster. He was one of Boris Spassky's mentors. Tolush was born and died in Saint Petersburg...
22	1948	Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Evgenievich Taimanov is a leading Soviet and Russian chess player and concert pianist.-Chess:He was awarded the International Grandmaster title in 1952 and played in the Candidates Tournament in Zurich in 1953, where he tied for eighth place. From 1946 to 1956, he was among the world's top...
23	1949	Vitaly Chekhover Vitaly Chekhover Vitaly Chekhover was a Soviet chess player and chess composer. He was also a pianist.- Composing career :...
24	1950	Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Evgenievich Taimanov is a leading Soviet and Russian chess player and concert pianist.-Chess:He was awarded the International Grandmaster title in 1952 and played in the Candidates Tournament in Zurich in 1953, where he tied for eighth place. From 1946 to 1956, he was among the world's top...
25	1952	Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Evgenievich Taimanov is a leading Soviet and Russian chess player and concert pianist.-Chess:He was awarded the International Grandmaster title in 1952 and played in the Candidates Tournament in Zurich in 1953, where he tied for eighth place. From 1946 to 1956, he was among the world's top...
26	1953	Semyon Furman Semyon Furman Semyon Abramovich Furman was a Soviet chess International Grandmaster and trainer. He is best known for developing Anatoly Karpov into a World Chess Champion, but was a formidable player himself, as well as a successful coach for several other world-class players...
27	1954	Nikolai Georgiyevich Kopilov Nikolai Georgiyevich Kopilov Nikolai Georgiyevich Kopilov , was a Russian chess player, from Novonikolayevsk. He worked as a lecturer in a higher technical training institute. He had three sons ....
28	1955	Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Lvovich Korchnoi ; pronounced in the original Russian as "karch NOY"; Ви́ктор Льво́вич Корчно́й, born March 23, 1931 is a professional chess player, author and currently the oldest active grandmaster on the tournament circuit...
29	1956	Pavel Yevseyevich Kondratiev
30	1957	Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Lvovich Korchnoi ; pronounced in the original Russian as "karch NOY"; Ви́ктор Льво́вич Корчно́й, born March 23, 1931 is a professional chess player, author and currently the oldest active grandmaster on the tournament circuit...   Semyon Furman Semyon Furman Semyon Abramovich Furman was a Soviet chess International Grandmaster and trainer. He is best known for developing Anatoly Karpov into a World Chess Champion, but was a formidable player himself, as well as a successful coach for several other world-class players...
31	1958	Igor Georgyevich Rubel
32	1959	Boris Spassky Boris Spassky Boris Vasilievich Spassky is a Soviet-French chess grandmaster. He was the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from late 1969 to 1972...
33	1960	Vladimir Vasilyevich Shishkin
34	1961	Boris Spassky Boris Spassky Boris Vasilievich Spassky is a Soviet-French chess grandmaster. He was the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from late 1969 to 1972...   Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Evgenievich Taimanov is a leading Soviet and Russian chess player and concert pianist.-Chess:He was awarded the International Grandmaster title in 1952 and played in the Candidates Tournament in Zurich in 1953, where he tied for eighth place. From 1946 to 1956, he was among the world's top...
35	1962	Konstatin Mikhailovich Klaman
36	1963	Boris Timofeyevich Vladimirov
37	1964	Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Korchnoi Viktor Lvovich Korchnoi ; pronounced in the original Russian as "karch NOY"; Ви́ктор Льво́вич Корчно́й, born March 23, 1931 is a professional chess player, author and currently the oldest active grandmaster on the tournament circuit...
38	1965	Vadim Zelmanovich Faibisovich
39	1966	Ye Ruban
40	1967	Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Vasilyevich Cherepkov was a Soviet and Russian International Master of chess. He was champion of Leningrad three times: 1967, 1968 , and 1982...
41	1968	Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Vasilyevich Cherepkov was a Soviet and Russian International Master of chess. He was champion of Leningrad three times: 1967, 1968 , and 1982...
42	1969	Vadim Zelmanovich Faibisovich
43	1970	Vladimir Ivanovich Karasev
44	1971	Viacheslav Vulfovich Osnos
45	1972	Andrey Lukin Andrey Lukin Andrei Lukin is a chess International Master and a chess coach.He was one of the strongest junior chess players in the Soviet Union in the late 60s, qualified for the World Juniors in 1967 ahead of Karpov, Balashov...
46	1973	Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Evgenievich Taimanov is a leading Soviet and Russian chess player and concert pianist.-Chess:He was awarded the International Grandmaster title in 1952 and played in the Candidates Tournament in Zurich in 1953, where he tied for eighth place. From 1946 to 1956, he was among the world's top...
47	1974	Vladimir Ivanovich Karasev
48	1975	Mark Tseitlin Mark Tseitlin Mark Danilovich Tseitlin , is an Israeli International Grandmaster of chess of Russian origin.Mark Tseitlin got acquainted with chess in Leningrad's Pioneers Palace. He is self-taught, having studied without a coach...
49	1976	Mark Tseitlin Mark Tseitlin Mark Danilovich Tseitlin , is an Israeli International Grandmaster of chess of Russian origin.Mark Tseitlin got acquainted with chess in Leningrad's Pioneers Palace. He is self-taught, having studied without a coach...
50	1977	Vadim Zelmanovich Faibisovich
51	1978	Mark Tseitlin Mark Tseitlin Mark Danilovich Tseitlin , is an Israeli International Grandmaster of chess of Russian origin.Mark Tseitlin got acquainted with chess in Leningrad's Pioneers Palace. He is self-taught, having studied without a coach...   Andrey Lukin Andrey Lukin Andrei Lukin is a chess International Master and a chess coach.He was one of the strongest junior chess players in the Soviet Union in the late 60s, qualified for the World Juniors in 1967 ahead of Karpov, Balashov...
52	1979	Igor Alexeyevich Polovodin
53	1980	Viacheslav Vulfovich Osnos
54	1981	Andrey Lukin Andrey Lukin Andrei Lukin is a chess International Master and a chess coach.He was one of the strongest junior chess players in the Soviet Union in the late 60s, qualified for the World Juniors in 1967 ahead of Karpov, Balashov...
55	1982	Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Cherepkov Alexander Vasilyevich Cherepkov was a Soviet and Russian International Master of chess. He was champion of Leningrad three times: 1967, 1968 , and 1982...
56	1983	Andrey Lukin Andrey Lukin Andrei Lukin is a chess International Master and a chess coach.He was one of the strongest junior chess players in the Soviet Union in the late 60s, qualified for the World Juniors in 1967 ahead of Karpov, Balashov...
57	1984	Leonid Yudasin Leonid Yudasin Leonid Grigoryevich Yudasin is a prominent chess grandmaster and trainer, now living in New York City.Awarded the International Master title in 1982, he secured the International Grandmaster title in 1984, the year he became Leningrad Champion...
58	1985	Alex Yermolinsky Alex Yermolinsky Alex Yermolinsky is an American chess Grandmaster. In 1993, Yermolinsky won the U.S. Chess Championship, tying for first place with Alexander Shabalov...   Vladislav Vorotnikov
59	1986	Evgeniy Solozhenkin Evgeniy Solozhenkin Evgeniy Solozhenkin is a Russian chess Grandmaster.-Tournament results:* 1986 : wins, at age 20, the 59th Leningrad championship...
60	1987	Vladimir Epishin Vladimir Epishin Vladimir Epishin is a Russian chess grandmaster with an Elo-rating of 2610.He finished third in the 58th USSR Chess Championship...
61	1988	Andrey Lukin Andrey Lukin Andrei Lukin is a chess International Master and a chess coach.He was one of the strongest junior chess players in the Soviet Union in the late 60s, qualified for the World Juniors in 1967 ahead of Karpov, Balashov...
62	1989	Alexey Yuneev
63	1990	Konstantin Sakaev Konstantin Sakaev Konstantin Sakaev is a Russian chess Grandmaster , from St Petersburg and Russian Champion in 1999. He is also a chess writer. Sakaev is on the staff of the Grandmaster Chess School in St...   A.Ivanov
64	1991	Sergey Ivanov
65	1992	Sergey Ivanov
66	1993	Vasily Yemelin
67	1994	Sergey Ivanov
68	1995	Peter Svidler Peter Svidler Peter Veniaminovich Svidler is a Russian chess grandmaster.He is six-time Russian champion ....
69	1996	Alexander Khalifman Alexander Khalifman Alexander Valeryevich Khalifman is a Soviet and Russian chess Grandmaster of Jewish descent; he is also a former FIDE champion.When Khalifman was 6 years old, he was taught chess by his father....
70	1997	Alexander Khalifman Alexander Khalifman Alexander Valeryevich Khalifman is a Soviet and Russian chess Grandmaster of Jewish descent; he is also a former FIDE champion.When Khalifman was 6 years old, he was taught chess by his father....
71	1998	Evgeniy Solozhenkin Evgeniy Solozhenkin Evgeniy Solozhenkin is a Russian chess Grandmaster.-Tournament results:* 1986 : wins, at age 20, the 59th Leningrad championship...
72	1999	Evgeny Shaposhnikov
73	2000	Valery Loginov
74	2001	Valerij Popov
75	2002	Vasily Yemelin
76	2003	Denis Yevseev
77	2004	Valery Loginov
78	2005	Valery Loginov
79	2006	Valerij Popov
80	2007	Marat Makarov