Peter Svidler

Svidler is an astounding 8 time Russian Chess Champion, winning as recently as 2017.  He also has represented the Russian Olympiad team 10 times helping his team win the gold medal in his first five appearances.  By winning the 2011 Chess World Cup, he qualified for the Candidates stage of the 2013 World Championship cycle. In that event, Peter soundly defeated the eventual World Champion, Magnus Carlsen. Svidler is also world-renowned chess commentator. He has given live commentary on important events such as the 2018 World Chess Championship, occasionally being joined by other elite players such as Anish Giri and Alexander Grischuk. He is returning to the Champions Showdown this year where he has the task of defeating Leinier Dominguez.