Gata Kamsky Transfers To France After 36 Years Representing U.S.

Five-time U.S. champion GM Gata Kamsky has officially switched federations to France, marking the end of a 36-year chapter representing the United States.

The transfer was confirmed by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on Monday, following an application made on April 14. As Kamsky has not played for the U.S in any official FIDE events in the past two years, he can immediately start competing under the French flag without a waiting period or transfer fee.

Fifty-one-year-old Kamsky becomes eligible to represent France in international team events, such as the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. With a FIDE rating of 2607, he is currently ranked fifth among active players, tied with 2023 World Junior Champion GM Marc'Andria Maurizzi.

Kamsky's switch is not entirely unexpected. He has lived in France since 2020 and now resides in Chartres with his wife, WGM Vera Nebolsina, who is Russian-born and also represents France. Still, the transfer is a significant move for one of America's most merited grandmasters in the last three decades.

Kamsky declined to comment on the stransfer to Chess.com, but told French chess magazine Europe Echecs: "The US Chess Federation is immature. It cares little for professionals, It maintains rankings, organizes championships, and gets the job done."

Born in the Soviet Union, Kamsky defected to the United States in 1989, along with his father Rustam, and quickly emerged as one of the strongest players in American chess history. In a recent interview, the grandmaster shared horrific details of his relationship with his father and how it affected him and his career.

During his U.S. career, he won five U.S. championships (1991, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016), in addition to numerous major open tournaments in the country. He also represented the United States in six Chess Olympiads (1992 and 2006-2014), leading them to bronze medals in 2006 and 2008.

Considered one of the greatest prodigies of the 1980s, he was ranked as high as fourth on the world rankings as a 21-year-old in 1995. The highlight came when he reached the final of the 1996 FIDE World Championship at the age of 22, eventually losing 10.5-7.5 against GM Anatoly Karpov.  

He remained largely inactive from 1997 to 2004, but made an extraordinary comeback. Just three years later, in 2007, he won the World Cup, beating GM Alexei Shirov in the final. He was able to maintain a rating of 2700 with a series of respectable results. As late as 2013, he was ranked 11th in the world with a rating of 2763.

Despite having turned 50, he remains a remarkably strong player and he continues to play actively, both online and over the board.  

François Gilles, President of Chartres Chess Club, told Europe Echecs: "Having Gata Kamsky with us at Chartres is extraordinary. He's a force that people don't realize!"

Kamsky is the second top player to leave US Chess after IM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova returned to the Uzbekistan women team earlier this year, after playing for USA between 2020 to 2024.

I would like to thank the Saint Louis Chess Club for their contribution and support of my career and personal growth over the past 5 years. I am forever grateful for their contributions and, I am fortunate to share wonderful memories with my friends, colleagues and coaches that⏬ https://t.co/TYbucy2XDM

— Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova (@Gulruhbegim) February 15, 2025

The French Chess Federation did not reply to a request for comment.