Bukharkov, Stepan

Stepan Bukharkov, a 18-year-old Russian player, is rated 2189 and sitting in the top 3% of Russian players under 18, and in the top 4% worldwide. He is on a breakout run, having gained +81 Elo over the past 12 months. 40 rated games in the past year (≈22/year long-term). Recent standard appearances include X Open Internacional de Ajedrez Semana Santa San Vicente del Raspeig 2026 A, Primera Autonomica Sur FACV 2026 Rondas 6, and Primera Autonomica Sur FACV 2026 Rondas 9-11. Also played 2 rapid (including Torneo Internacional por Equipos Ciudad de Valencia 2025) and 3 blitz events (including VII Torneo Relampago Internacional Dama Negra) recently. He had 2 career breaks: 27 months (2020–2022, COVID-19 included) and 16 months (2022–2023). His peak of 2227 was reached at age 18 (Feb 2026).

At junior level, he reached #19 and #51 nationally in U18 and U16.