A graduate of Moscow's Plekhanov Economics Institute, Grigori Yavlinsky collaborated in 1990 on Gorbachev's 500 Day Plan, a scheme to convert Russia's state controlled economy to one centered on market forces in 500 days. With credentials like these, its a wonder Yavlinsky hasn't been lynched by resentful members of Russia's fast-growing nouveau poor. Yavlinsky has some support among the intelligentsia, but his advocacy of economic reform is a tough sell in a country where the reformers are widely blamed for current economic hard times. Currently known along with Alexander Lebed and former eye surgeon-turned-candidate Svyatoslav Fyodorov as an alternative or "third force" candidate, Yavlinsky's major effect on the election would probably be to take some votes away from Boris Yeltsin. Anatoly Chubais, former head of Russia's privatization program with considerable reformist credentials of his own, even told Yavlinsky flat-out to leave the race and endorse Yeltsin, to no avail. Currently pulling a dismal 7 percent in voter polls, Yavlinsky may remain in the race in hopes of striking a future deal with the President. Rumors circulate that Yeltsin's government would reward an endorsement by the reformist with a ministerial post, but Yavlinsky remains umoved. --Terence Nelan