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 […]
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 […]
Schlechter Life and Games: One Game Away
Carl Schlechter was one of the world’s strongest players in the early 20th century, and played a World Championship Match against Lasker in 1910. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early Life Carl Schlechter was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1874. […]
Lasker Life and Games: The Second Chess King
Emanuel Lasker was the second World Champion, and held the title for longer than anyone else: 27 years. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Emanuel Lasker was born the youngest of four children in 1868 in Berlinchen, Germany, although […]
Zukertort Life and Games: Battle for the Crown
Johannes Zukertort was Steinitz’s opponent in the first ever official match for the world championship in 1886. Below, I explore Zukertort’s life and games. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Johannes Zukertort was born in 1842 in Lublin, Poland, although his family moved to the German […]
Steinitz Life and Games: The First World Champion
Wilhelm Steinitz, the first world champion, lived a fascinating life, and played even more fascinating games. Below, I explore both. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of Contents: Biography Early life Wilhelm Steinitz was born in Prague on 14 May 1836. He was the ninth child of 13 in his family, […]