Soviet, Ukrainian and Slovenian chess grandmaster Alexander Beliavsky was born on 17 December 1953 in Lviv. His peak World Ranking is 3rd (in 24 different months from September 1982 and January 1989). He belonged to the strongest 10 players of the world between 1984 and 1991. According to Chessmetrics his highest rating is 2756.

He participated in the Candidates Tournament once in the 1982-84 cycle but he was defeated by the later champion Garry Kasparov in the quarterfinals in 1983. The still active Beliavsky has participated in 15 Chess Olympiads so far. In 1982, 84, 88 and 90 he competed for the Soviet Union, winning team gold all four times. In 1982 he won individual bronze and in 1984 individual bronze and silver. He has not won medals since 1984 in Chess Olympiads. Once, in 1992 he competed for Ukrainia. Since 1996 he has been competing for Slovenia.

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Beliavsky is acknowledged for his uncompromising style and classical opening repertoire such as the Queen’s Gambit, Ruy Lopez, French Defence and the Two Knights Defence.