Background
He was born in Dzierżoniów in Poland.
He was born in Dzierżoniów in Poland.
As of April 2007, his Elo rating was 2480, making him the # 25 player in Israel and the 887th-highest rated player in the world. In 1978, he tied for 2nd-5th in Skien. In 1979, he tied for 1st-2nd in Biel.
In 1979, he took 2nd in the Lucerne Zonal.
Gruenfeld played for Israel in six Chess Olympiads. In 1978, at second reserve board in the 23rd Olympiad in Buenos Aires (+2 –0 =7);
In 1980, at third board in the 24th Olympiad in Louisiana Valletta (+6 –3 =2);
In 1982, at first board in the 25th Olympiad in Lucerne (+2 –2 =7);
In 1984, at first board in the 26th Olympiad in Thessaloniki (+3 –4 =4);
In 1990, at second board in the 29th Olympiad in Novi Sad (+0 –3 =5);
In 1992, at first reserve board in the 30th Olympiad in Manila (+4 –1 =4).
FIDE awarded him the International Master title in 1978, and the International Grandmaster title in 1980. Gruenfeld is deaf, but is able to speak, however hoarsely, and can read lips.
He played in the 2014 Chess Olympiad as Board 1 for the International Chess Committee of the Deaf team