GM Sergei Azarov (BLR), Bethune Open 2009 (from Chessbase.com)

GM Sergei Azarov of Belarus is currently his country’s third strongest chess player with a rating of 2609. He is thus far the strongest representative for his country in the Arctic Chess Challenge. Sergei was born 19.05.1983, and his rating so far is 2630. The 27-year-old made his mark as early as 2001, when he won his first Belarusian championship, a feat he repeated the following year.

In the youth world cup in 2003 in Halkidiki, he showed proof of his strength with 2nd place behind Shakriyar Mamedyarov. Azarov is known to have an aggressive style of play, and has beaten good players like Jobava and Volokitin.

Sergei Azarov Hide