Paul Keres, born on January 7, 1916, in Narva, Estonia, was a prominent figure in the world of chess. He learned the game from his father and elder brother, and by the age of 17, he had won the Estonian championship in 1934.
This victory marked the beginning of a remarkable chess career that would see him become one of the world’s top players for several decades.
Achievements and Contributions
Keres went on to achieve significant milestones in his chess career, including winning the U.S.S.R. championship three times in 1947, 1950, and 1951.
He also played a crucial role in the success of the Soviet Union’s chess teams, contributing to their gold medal victories in the 1952–1964 Chess Olympiads.
Keres’s impact extended beyond his playing career, as he authored several influential books on chess, such as “The Art of the Middle Game” and “Practical Chess Endings”.
World Championship Contention
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Keres narrowly missed the opportunity to compete for the World Chess Championship on five occasions.
His encounters with ten world champions, defeating nine of them and holding a positive score against three, underscored his exceptional skill and competitiveness.
Notably, Keres’s legacy is also intertwined with the controversy surrounding the 1948 world championship tournament, where he was believed by many Estonians to have been coerced into underperforming against the favored Russian, Mikhail Botvinnik.
Legacy and Passing
Paul Keres’s impact extended beyond the chessboard, as he was regarded as a national hero by the people of Estonia.
His untimely death on June 5, 1975, in Helsinki, Finland, at the age of 59, marked the end of an era for the chess world.
Keres’s enduring legacy continues to inspire chess enthusiasts and players around the globe, cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in the history of the game.
Playing Style
Paul Keres was known for his all-round chess abilities and was regarded as one of the first all-round players in the game. His playing style could be characterized by the following traits:
Attacking Style
In his early days, Keres was known for his brilliant and sharp attacking style. He was famous for his fierce attacks against the Sicilian Defence and had the motto, “White to play and…”. His attacks were often characterized by great coordination and the ability to exploit even the smallest weaknesses in an opponent’s position.
Defensive Capabilities
As Keres matured, his style evolved into a more rounded and sometimes even outright positional player. He became better at the positional side of the game and was also a fine endgame player. His defensive skills were evident in his ability to hold his own against strong opponents and maintain a high level of performance throughout a match.
Theoretical Contributions
Keres was a great theoretician and sought complication in his games, including opening lines named after him. He was also a fine annotator, and his game analyses were known for their depth and clarity. His findings touched on various chess openings, such as the Spanish Opening, the Sicilian Defence, and the Nimzo-Indian Defence.
Tournament Success
Keres was a successful tournament player, finishing second or equal second in four straight Candidates’ tournaments (1953, 1956, 1959, 1962). This earned him the nickname “Paul II”. He also participated in six Candidates’ Tournaments and was considered one of the best players in the world at several points in his career.
In summary, Paul Keres’ playing style was marked by a combination of attacking flair, defensive solidity, theoretical depth, and tournament success. His impact on chess theory and practice was significant, and his legacy continues to inspire chess enthusiasts and players alike.
