Aleksandr Lenderman

Born in Leningrad, Aleksandr Lenderman arrived with his family in Brooklyn when he was four.  Lenderman was part of the "dream team" at his high school, winning four straight national titles along with now International Master Salvijus Bercys. He played an important role in the book The Kings of New York. Lenderman achieved first place in the 2008 USCF Grand Prix, scoring higher than all the grandmasters he competed against by playing and championing in smaller events, including WCL tournaments. He finished first in the 2009 Atlantic Open, won the 2009 USCF Grand Prix, and was a co-champion of the 2009 U.S. Open. Lenderman earned three Grandmaster norms in quick succession in the summer of 2009 and formally obtained the title of grandmaster in 2010.

Lenderman played for USA team in the 2015 World Team Chess Championship in Tsaghkadzor and scored 5/7, ultimately bringing home the gold. He won the 2015 World Open after conquering Rauf Mamedov in an armageddon playoff.