Chess news from around the world Chess news

The Chess Herald

Chess news & articles·original analysis·tournament statistics

Alexey Sarana

Alexey Sarana
Photo: Stefan64, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
World rank
No. 45 (October 2026)
Rating
2671 (+5 this month)
Peak rating
2717 (July 2024)
Title
Grandmaster (2017)
Federation
Serbia
FIDE ID
24133795

A Russian-born grandmaster who plays for Serbia. Sarana left Russia in March 2022 over the invasion of Ukraine, saying he would not return until it ended. His father is Ukrainian.

He won the European Individual Championship in 2023, and at that year’s World Cup knocked out sixth seed Wesley So to reach the round of 16. He reached his peak rating of 2717 in July 2024.

He is also a strong online player and reached the final of a 2026 Esports World Cup qualifier.

Career highlights

  • 2023 European Champion
  • Knocked out Wesley So at the 2023 World Cup
  • Peak rating 2717 (July 2024)

Alexey Sarana in The Chess Herald

FIDE profile · Wikipedia
Profile last reviewed September 29, 2026. Ratings update monthly from FIDE.