“The Chess Hall of Fame: Birthday Tributes”- Bent Larsen – The Great Dane of Chess
With this article, I am launching my new blog series, The Chess Hall of Fame: Birthday Tributes, where I will celebrate the birthdays of legendary chess players by sharing stories about their lives, styles, and memorable games. To begin, I have chosen Bent Larsen, one of the most original and fearless grandmasters in chess history. Stay tuned for future articles in this series, featuring other greats of the game!
Who Was Bent Larsen?
Bent Larsen was born on March 4, 1935, in Tilsted, Denmark, a small town near Thisted. He remains one of the strongest Western grandmasters of the 20th century and was, for a time, the only non-Soviet player capable of challenging the Soviet chess hegemony. A six-time Danish Champion, Larsen was the first Western player to seriously contest the World Chess Championship cycle during the Cold War era. He played in four Candidates Tournaments (1965, 1968, 1971, and 1977) and was considered one of the greatest players never to have become World Champion.
Larsen’s Chess Style: Bold and Uncompromising
Larsen was famous for his unorthodox openings, fighting spirit, and aggressive play. He was never afraid to experiment, often surprising opponents with offbeat choices like 1.b3, which later became known as "Larsen’s Opening." He believed in taking risks, breaking conventions, and seeking creative positions where he could outplay his rivals.
One of his famous quotes encapsulates his philosophy:
"To win, you have to dare to lose."
Larsen was also an exceptional positional player, capable of grinding down opponents with precise maneuvering and deep strategic understanding. His victories against the world's best players, including multiple wins against World Champions like Botvinnik, Petrosian, Spassky, and Karpov, solidified his place among chess legends.
Facts About Larsen
He was known for his sharp wit and once humorously referred to himself as the "Best in the West" at the height of his career. Larsen often wore a wide-brimmed hat at tournaments, making him one of the most recognizable players of his time. He was one of the few Western players who defeated Bobby Fischer multiple times before Fischer’s peak in 1970-72.
During the 1970 USSR vs. Rest of the World match, Larsen boldly took Board 1 ahead of Fischer. He later admitted that this was a mistake, especially after suffering a legendary 0-6 defeat against Fischer in the 1971 Candidates match.
A Memorable Game: Gligorić - Larsen
To conclude this tribute, I am sharing one of Bent Larsen’s most instructive games: Svetozar Gligorić vs. Bent Larsen. In this game, Larsen demonstrated his deep strategic understanding and counterattacking skills. The comments of the game are his own!
This is just the beginning of The Chess Hall of Fame: Birthday Tributes. I look forward to celebrating more chess legends in the coming articles. Who should be next? Stay tuned!
