Greatest Chess Players of the 16th Century.

Great stuff. I always wondered who invented the method to print black pieces on black squares and white pieces on white squares. Stimulating.

I don't think there is proof that Ruy Lopez never played the opening.  If he wrote about it, then it's probably safe to assume he tried it at least once.  Since the modern day openings are different than those from 50 years ago, it's safe to assume that Ruy Lopez never played the same opening we have today, but 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc3 3. Bb5 might have been played by him.

Well, this is the ranking of the best chess players in the 16th century as I have found in some reference books, taking into account that modern chess started around 1475-1500 

1. Ruy López de Segura, Spanish, 1530-1580, the first (world-)champion from 1560 till 1575.  

2. Giovanni Leonardo di Bona da Cutri, Italian, 1542-1587, champion 1575-1587.

3. Paolo Boi, Italian, 1528-1598, champion 1587-1598.

4. Alessandro Salvio, Italian, 1570-1640, champion 1598-1621 and later on again in 1634-1640.

5. Gioacchino Greco, Italian, born in the last year of the 16th century, 1600, 1600-1634, champion 1621-1634.

Between 1640 and 1730 no-one was actually champion or "best of the world", as chess was less popular; and the name "champion" here above is abitrary chosen.

6. Giulio Cesare Polerio, Italian, 1548-1612.

7. Damiano, Portugese, wrote a book and played chess in 1512 and 1544.

8. Luiz Ramirez Lucena, Spanish, known in 1496 and 1501.

9. Alfonso Cerón, Spanish, played in 1575.

10. Pietro Carrera, Italian, 1573-1647.

It is correct to name Vicent, Gianutio and Domenico as well, but more research is required.

Finally, the patron-saint of all chess players is Santa Teresa of Avila  --  and the best money-lender was King Philip II of Spain, both lived in the 16th century.

This list is interim/provisional, needs research; something far more interesting in my opinion is to list the books they have written !

This was really the century of something new in the western world, first in Italy and Spain, and later on in France and Germany.

Why did you quote yourself?

No idea, things happen !   Apparently I touched a word above the text...        Sorry !       Anyhow, on second thoughts, this is the first list of ten names, as asked for, so be happy !    And I now also realise that this century was very important in chess history, worth to investigate further, especially the books written in that era.  I think I will use some time to read the reference books and wikipedia, to be able to write an article on this subject, the start of chess libraries.

Or you could always read batgirl's links...

So tell me more about Paolo "Paulie Boy" Boi if you will?  I'd never heard of him.  I'm familiar with all the other names on that list but not Paulie Boy.  

Best reason ever.

Sounds like Vegas.

John Musacha : about Paolo Boi, my first answer is, please have a look on the chessopedia in this chess-dot-com, an article of 11 lines on Paolo, written on 8-3-2007.  I wonder whether I can find more info, but this is what you want to know, I think.  If not, please react, it is worthwhile to know more about players in that period, we can hardly imagine how they travelled, how they knew about other players abroad, how circumstances were...  therefor I like the original question to name at least ten names and to know more about them.    "To be continued"  I think...    RomyGer.

Weird.  This topic appeared in my "Most Recent Posts" column, but the most recent post was 3 years ago.

Do you mean in 2009?

Are we in a time trap?

I hope so. It'll save me from having to buy hair colour tomorrow.

Perhaps the posts were moving close to the speed of light. If so, according to Einstein’s theory of special relativity time for these post would slow down. I believe the effect as experienced by us is called “time dialation.” So, even though 3 years have passed here on earth the posts themselves have only been away a couple of days…. or maybe not.   >:[ 

So would shaving your head :-D

Well, it is about the 16th century... so what's three years?

So, is this my second glass of wine tonight, or am I on my seventieth bottle? 

What kind of wine are you drinking? >:[