In 1908-1909, he lost a correspondence game to Alexander Alekhine. He gained the master title in 1929 after having come level with the young Mikhail Botvinnik in the preliminary round of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Championships of that year. He took 4th at Odessa 1929 (6th Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics-ch, semifinal).
He won in the 3rd Belarusian Championship in 1926, and shared 1st with Abram Model and Vladislav Silich in the 4th BLR-ch in 1928. He shared first with Kliatsky (Kliatskin) at Moscow 1920 (Russian Olympiad, 1st Union National Congress, 1st Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics-ch, final B) and won a short match (play-off) against him (2:0). He tied for 11-13th at Petrograd (Street St. Petersburg) in the 2nd Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Championship (Peter Romanovsky won). He tied for 5-6th at Moscow 1928 (3rd Championship of Russia, Izmailov won). He took 6th at Moscow 1934 (4th Championship of Russia, Belavenets won), and tied for 11-12th at Leningrad (Street St. Petersburg) 1936 (All-Union Tournament of the 1st Category, A Budo won).
