Player Profile: Anton Smirnov

Full Name: Anton Vladimirovich Smirnov

Peak FIDE Rating: 2604 (January 2020)

Active Since: 2009

Federation: Australia

Anton Smirnov, born on 28 January 2001 in Canberra, Australia, is a chess prodigy turned Grandmaster with a reputation for deep calculations and fearless play. Raised in a Russian-Australian household by his father, IM Vladimir Smirnov is a scholar and chess coach. Anton was introduced to the willow-leaf battlefield at age 4 via the interactive Fritz & Chesster program. By age 5, he’d already claimed the Australian Under-8 title. A balanced thinker, he often couples spirited aggression with positional finesse, creating a style that keeps opponents guessing.

From a curious preschooler mastering digital chess adventures to shattering records as Australia’s youngest-ever GM, Anton Smirnov has journeyed with humility and fire. A thoughtful yet competitive figure, he never lost a single game in two successive Olympiads which is an extraordinary testament to his composure under pressure. He balances school, sport, and the grind of elite chess with a grounded demeanor, harnessing both Russian discipline and Australian sportsmanship. Today, as Australia’s #2 and world-ranked ~265 as of early 2025, Anton continues to climb, aspiring to reach 2650+ and to cement his place on the global stage

Career Scorecard:

• World Championship Cycle Appearances: None

• Chess World Cup 2017

• World & Continental Junior Title

National Championships:

• Runner-up, Australian Championship 2018.

• Winner of the Australian Grand Prix 2015.

Olympiad Medals & Undefeated Runs:

• Chess Olympiad 2014 (Tromsø): 7½/9 on Board 5, undefeated.

• Chess Olympiad 2016 (Baku): 8½/10 on Board 4, undefeated.

• Represented Australia again in 2018 (Batumi) on Board 1.

Memorable Games:

• vs. Sergey Karjakin, Chess World Cup 2017 - Held reigning World Championship challenger to two draws in classical, unfazed, and fearless under scrutiny.

• vs. Ante Brkic, 2016 Olympiad (Baku) - As a 15-year-old, he defeated a strong 2584-rated GM in an impressive tactical display.

• vs. Zhao Zong Yuan or Max Illingworth, Gold Coast Open 2018 - Clinched wins against top Australian compatriots, showcasing his maturity and resilience.