Savielly Tartakower

Savielly Tartakower was a renowned Polish-Austrian chess player, often regarded as one of the greatest players of his time, known for his exceptional endgame skills and creative attacking style, which drew comparisons to Jose Capablanca and Emanuel Lasker. He was a prominent figure in the Vienna Chess Society, where he interacted with other notable players like Carl Schlechter and Rudolf Spielmann. Tartakower's chess career spanned several decades, during which he participated in numerous tournaments, including the London 1922 chess tournament and the New York 1924 chess tournament, alongside other famous players such as Alexander Alekhine and Efim Bogoljubov. His playing style was influenced by the Hypermodern school of chess, which emphasized controlling the center of the board with pieces rather than pawns, an approach also adopted by Arvidsson and Gruenfeld.

● Early Life and Career

Savielly Tartakower was born in Rostov-on-Don, Russian Empire, to a family of Polish and Jewish descent, and later moved to Vienna, Austria-Hungary, where he developed his passion for chess under the guidance of Georg Marco and Carl Schlechter. He studied law at the University of Vienna, but his true interest lay in chess, which led him to participate in local tournaments, including the Vienna Chess Tournament 1907-1908, where he competed against Oldrich Duras and Géza Maróczy. Tartakower's early career was marked by his involvement with the Vienna Chess Society, where he met and played against other notable players, such as Akiba Rubinstein and Frank Marshall. His interactions with these players helped shape his playing style, which was characterized by a deep understanding of endgame theory and a flair for the dramatic, similar to Bobby Fischer and Mikhail Botvinnik.

● Chess Career

Tartakower's chess career was marked by numerous achievements, including his victory at the St. Petersburg 1914 chess tournament, where he finished ahead of Emanuel Lasker and Jose Capablanca. He also participated in the London 1922 chess tournament and the New York 1924 chess tournament, where he competed against other famous players, such as Alexander Alekhine and Efim Bogoljubov. Tartakower was known for his exceptional endgame skills, which he demonstrated in his games against Max Euwe and Siegbert Tarrasch. His playing style was influenced by the Hypermodern school of chess, which emphasized controlling the center of the board with pieces rather than pawns, an approach also adopted by Arvidsson and Gruenfeld. Tartakower's chess career was also marked by his participation in the Chess Olympiad, where he represented Poland and France in various tournaments, including the London 1927 Chess Olympiad and the Paris 1924 Chess Olympiad, alongside other notable players like Isidor Gunsberg and Amos Burn.

● Writing and Legacy

Tartakower was not only a skilled chess player but also a prolific writer, who authored several books on chess theory and chess history, including My Best Games of Chess 1905-1930 and 500 Master Games of Chess. His writings were highly regarded by his contemporaries, including Jose Capablanca and Alexander Alekhine, who praised his insightful analysis and witty commentary. Tartakower's legacy extends beyond his playing career, as he is remembered as one of the most colorful and charismatic figures in the history of chess, known for his sharp wit and clever humor, which he often displayed in his writings and public appearances, much like William Steinitz and Wilhelm Steinitz. His contributions to chess theory and chess literature have had a lasting impact on the game, influencing generations of players, including Mikhail Botvinnik and Vasily Smyslov.

● Notable Games and Tournaments

Tartakower participated in numerous notable tournaments throughout his career, including the St. Petersburg 1914 chess tournament, the London 1922 chess tournament, and the New York 1924 chess tournament. He also played in several Chess Olympiads, representing Poland and France in various tournaments, including the London 1927 Chess Olympiad and the Paris 1924 Chess Olympiad. Some of his most famous games include his victories against Max Euwe and Siegbert Tarrasch, which showcased his exceptional endgame skills and creative attacking style, similar to Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. Tartakower's games have been widely anthologized and studied by chess players around the world, including Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik, who have praised his innovative approach to the game.

● Personal Life

Tartakower's personal life was marked by his love of chess and his passion for writing, which led him to author several books on chess theory and chess history. He was known for his sharp wit and clever humor, which he often displayed in his writings and public appearances, much like William Steinitz and Wilhelm Steinitz. Tartakower was also a polyglot, speaking several languages, including Polish, German, French, and English, which facilitated his interactions with other players and writers, such as Emanuel Lasker and Jose Capablanca. He died on February 5, 1956, in Paris, France, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most colorful and charismatic figures in the history of chess, remembered by players like Mikhail Botvinnik and Vasily Smyslov. Category:Chess players