Spielmann Life and Games: King of Gambits
Rudolf Spielmann competed at the top level of chess for the first few decades of the 20th century, and wrote the famous book The Art of Sacrifice in Chess. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: http://www.audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/185211/, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Rudolf Spielmann was born in Vienna, […]
Maroczy Life and Games: The Forgotten Hero
Geza Maroczy was one of the strongest players of the early 20th century, and is known for his mastery of queen endings. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, George Grantham Bain Collection, [LC-DIG-ggbain-36944 DLC], Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Geza […]
Réti Life and Games: Player, Composer, Author
Richard Réti was one of the strongest players in the 1920s, and a leader of hypermodern ideas which were introduced to chess in that decade. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: ÖNB, Bildarchiv Austria, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Richard Réti was born in 1889 in Bösing, […]
Rubinstein Life and Games: Poland’s Hero
Akiba Rubinstein was one of the world’s strongest players in the early 20th century, with an impressive list of tournament victories. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Wilhelm Willinger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Akiba Rubinstein was born in 1880 in Stawiski, Poland. He was one of […]
Nimzowitsch Life and Games: Author and Scientist
Aron Nimzowitsch was one of the strongest players in the world in the 1920s, as well as a highly regarded author. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Not mentioned, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Aron Nimzowitsch was born in 1886 in Riga, Latvia. After school, he moved […]
Euwe Life and Games: The Fifth Chess King
Max Euwe was the fifth chess World Champion, and one of the strongest players in the game’s history. Below, I explore his life and games. Theo van Haren Noman / Anefo, Nationaal Archief, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Max Euwe was born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1901. He learned to […]
Bogoljubow Life and Games: Forgotten Star of the 1920s
Efim Bogoljubow was one of the world’s strongest players in the 1920s and played two World Championship matches. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Efim Bogoljubow was born in 1889 in Stanislavchyk, Kiev. He learned chess relatively late for someone who goes […]
Alekhine Life and Games: The Fourth Chess King
Alexander Alekhine was the fourth chess World Champion, and one of the strongest players in history. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, George Grantham Bain Collection, [LC-DIG-ggbain-36943], Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Alexander Alekhine was born in Moscow in 1892. […]
Capablanca Life and Games: The Third Chess King
José Raúl Capablanca was the third World Champion and one of the strongest players in the history of chess. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing, [LC-DIG-hec-05488], Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life José Raúl Capablanca was […]
Janowski Life and Games: Wizard of Attack
David Janowski was a World Championship Challenger and one of the world’s leading players in the first decade of the 20th century. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Dawid Janowski was born in Wolkowysk, Poland, in 1868. However, he […]