NAME

Chess - People

SYNOPSIS

A list of historical figures in chess.

DESCRIPTION

PEOPLE

Alekhine, Alexander

Succeeded Capablanca as the champion in 1927 (the 4th). His combinations and sacrifices were greatly admired. Died in 1946 while still the champion. World War II prevented him from defending his title. One of the original five grandmasters named by Czar Nicholas.

Anderssen, Adolf

Botvinnik, Mikhail ``Iron Mike''

Became world champion in 1948, succeeding Alekhine. He held the title for 15 years, but with two interruptions.

Capablanca, Jose' Rau'l ``The Chess Machine''

A talented Cuban player, who achieved master status at the age of 14. He succeeded Lasker as champion in 1921. He was known for his technique of achieving a slight positional advantage, forcing a massive exchange of pieces, and finally outmaneuvering his opponent in the endgame.

Chigorin

The first world-class Russion chess player. Considered to be the founder of the ``Russian School of Chess''.

Euwe, Max

A Dutch mathematics professor, an excellent strategist, and author of books on chess. Gained the championship title from Alekhine in 1935, but lost it again to him in 1937 in a devastating 4 to 10 return match loss.

Fischer, Robert James (``Bobby'')

This American won the 1972 championship, crushing Taimanov and Larson both by 6-0. Retired from chess after winning the championship, returning in the 1990's for a single match against Spassky. The first U.S. born world champion, and the youngest grandmaster up to that time.

Born 1943-03-08.

Gruenfeld

The man for whom the Gruenfeld Defense and Gruenfeld Gambit are named.

Karpov, Anatoly

After Fischer refused to defend his title in 1975, Karpov became the champion.

Kasparov, Garry

Won the title in 1985 by 5-3 against Karpov. Formed the Professional Chess Association (PCA).

Lasker, Emanuel

Won the first official world championship in 1894 at the age of 25 (in a match against Steinitz). He remained world champion for 27 years.

Legall

The man for whom Legall's Mate is named.

Lo'pez, Ruy

A Spanish clergyman who studied chess intensively, writing books about it. He invented the opening strategy that has become known as the Spanish Opening.

Marshall

Former U.S. champion. Coined the term swindle for a desperate trap that saves or wins the game.

Morphy, Paul

Known for his elegant combinations, this American from New Orleans became the first unofficial world champion of chess in 1857. Retired from chess without being defeated.

Pandolfini

Prolific author of chess books. National master. A main character in the book and movie ``Searching for Bobby Fischer''.

Petrosian, Tigran

Beat Botvinnik in 1963 to win the title.

Philidor

Known for the phrase ``The pawns are the soul of chess.''

Polgar, Zsusza

One of a family of female chess players, she won the Women's World Championship.

Purdy, Cecil John Seddon (C.J.S.)

Born in 1906, he was four time Champion of Australia, an International Master, and the first World Correspondence Chess Champion. He edited chess journals. He died in 1979.

Reinfeld

National Master and author of many chess books.

Reti

A founder of the ``hypermodern'' school. Gave Capablaca his only tournament loss in 10 years.

Short, Nigel

The Englishman Kasparov beat to obtain the PCA title.

Smyslov, Vasily

Defeated Botvinnik in 1957, winning the title, but lost it again to him in 1958.

Spassky, Boris

Succeeded Petrosian as champion in 1969.

Staunton

Never won the title, but proclaimed himself world champion. Refused to play Morphy.

Steinitz, Wilhelm

Replaced Morphy as the unofficial world champion in 1866 by beating Adolf Anderssen in a match. Known for his artful defenses and strategic attacks on enemy weaknesses. Also known for some of his unusual moves, such as bringing his king to the center of the board early in the game.

Tal, Mikhail

Obtained the title in 1960 from Botvinnik. Lost it back to him one year later in the return match.

Timman

Dutch grandmaster who challenged Karpove for teh FIDE world championship when Kasparov and Short formed the PCA.

Waitzkin

A young International Master. The main character of the book and movie ``Searching for Bobby Fischer''.

AUTHOR

Gregor N. Purdy (gregor@focusresearch.com).

COPYRIGHT AND LICENSE

Copyright (C) 1999-2006 Gregor N. Purdy. All rights reserved.

This program is free software. You may redistribute and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl iteself.