Salov started playing chess as a teenager and quickly emerged as a significant player, securing the World Junior Chess Championship in 1980 and 1984, and the European Junior Championship in 1983. A year later, he was awarded the International Master title.
In a major tournament, Salov achieved victory at Barcelona 1989, where he outperformed several notable grandmasters. In 1997, he defeated Viswanathan Anand in the Credit Suisse Masters final. He participated in the FIDE World Chess Championships in 1990, 1991, and 1995 but did not win the title.
In 2000, he retired from professional chess and started producing critical writings on chess politics. He has been critical of the role of Jewish people in chess and suggested that a 'Jewish conspiracy' was responsible for his inability to become world champion. This left him marginalized within the chess community.
An intriguing aspect of Salov's chess style was his predilection for long, strategic struggles. He was known for his deep analytical ability which often led him to reject quick draws in favor of playing the games out. He was also recognized for his preparation for games, his rigorous training routines, and his reluctance to discuss his strategies publicly.