Dmitry Lesnoy Russian Federation

Dmitry Lesnoy, board member

Dmitry Lesnoy is a former national skiing champion, qualified journalist, card-player and writer. In 1994 he published the Russian Encyclopaedia of Card Games, which he considers to be his life’s work. Lesnoy has also published a series of books, Mathematics of Casino Games, as well as translating well-known international works into Russian. Lesnoy was the founder of Poker Games magazine.
 
In 1997, Lesnoy founded the Russian Mind Games League and went on to become one of the first poker tournament operators in Russia from 2001 – 2003. In 2006, Lesnoy initiated the creation of the Russian Sports Poker Federation (RSPF) and was elected its first president on 18th November that year. After submitting a special report to the Russian Sports Ministry, the RSPF became the organisation officially authorised to promote poker in Russia, and to stage Russia’s national championships. Under Lesnoy's leadership, RSPF was a moving force behind the establishment of IFP, as well as being a founder-member.