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Andor Lilienthal Dies aged 99

  • SonofPearl
  • on Sat, 5/8/2010 11:45am.

andor_lilienthal3.jpgThe world's oldest grandmaster, the legendary Hungarian GM Andor Lilienthal has died aged 99.

Lilienthal had a long and illustrious career, beating many world champions. Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Euwe, Botvinnik and Smyslov all fell victim to his brilliant play.

Born in Moscow, but brought up in Hungary, Lilienthal emigrated to the Soviet Union in 1935.  He played for Hungary and the Soviet Union at several Olympiads, and qualified for the Candidates Tournament in the 1948-51 cycle.

Lilienthal remained active in his later years and was often a guest of honour at chess competitions.

His most famous game was his 26-move queen sacrifice victory against the great Cuban champion, Capablanca.

Rest In Peace, Andor Lilienthal.

3050 reads 20 comments
2 votes

Comments


  • 20 months ago

    bagwis_9

    There goes a Man!  Beat Capa!  26th!  Wow!  Thanks!  Great DNA!

  • 2 years ago

    Ladycharmed1990

    a very good looking chess player and very smart

  • 2 years ago

    DWAustin

    Thankyou for the games you left behind.I hope I'm able to learn from your style of play.May you rest in peace.

  • 2 years ago

    ChessMaster453

    Lilienthal, What A Great Player. I Am Surprised That He Beated Capablanca! What A Genius...CryR.I.P

  • 2 years ago

    RickyCapa

    If you can make Capablanca look like an amateur, you must be a genius.  I'm glad you lived life to the fullest.  Thank you for your contributions to this wonderful game.

  • 2 years ago

    kenneth67

    Thank you for publishing the article on this largely 'unheralded' chess giant. It is a fitting tribute.

  • 2 years ago

    kkjimbo

    Man that is one cool photo. I must confess I thought he had passed away years ago, terrific player, RIP Andor.

  • 2 years ago

    Aslan7

    I don't know which was better, the photograph or that wonderful game!

  • 2 years ago

    cunctatorg

    Thanks SonofPearl for this "Lilienthal's Andor" splendid photo...

    "A la recherche du temps perdu"...

     The one and only one unwelcomed surprise by this very important Grand Master; his positional play etc. is (was...) of great quality and very instructive and appealing.  

    P.S. Read Wikipedia's entry and particularly the point in the analysis of the famous Lilienthal vs. Capablanca game regarding Bobby Fischer's hommage to Andrei Lilienthal!...

  • 2 years ago

    Galion

    One of the most beautiful sacrifices I've ever seen. Rest in peace great grandmaster.
  • 2 years ago

    Mikhail007

    Rest in peace. What an amazing game.

    Mate in 4 i think if Capablanca tried to keep the queen

  • 2 years ago

    kevinjin

    Rest in Peace to this great GM, an uncrowned world champion.

  • 2 years ago

    tarnowski

    Amazing 99 years! Rest in peace dear Lilienthal :)

  • 2 years ago

    musicalhair

    I just looked at part of one of his games while looking at a book on the Grunfeld.

  • 2 years ago

    Malabrigo

    Wow, sounds as though he played like a legend you never heard of. RIP.

  • 2 years ago

    Spektrowski

    So quick after Smyslov...

  • 2 years ago

    sclukey

    Sad that such talent remained in partial obscurity, I just found out of his existence, but, based on the games vs Capablanca, I can tell he was a world class player. I wonder why he never reached the big title? Rest in peace and thank you for the contributions to chess.

  • 2 years ago

    qixel

    A sad day.  I always loved Lilienthal.  He should be better known, I think.

  • 2 years ago

    skewer2000

    RIP.  Thanks for your great games and contribution to chess.

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