GM Svetozar Gligoric

Svetozar Gligoric was a Serbian and Yugoslav grandmaster and one of the top players of the world in his time. He holds the record of most Yugoslav Chess Championship titles, having won the tournament 12 times. Gligoric was well-known for his very successful participation in multiple international events, even though he never won the World Chess Championship. His titles include Mar del Plata 1950, Stockholm 1954, Belgrade 1964, Manila 1968, Lone Pine 1972 and 1979, and five titles at Hastings (1951–52, 1956–57, 1959–60, 1960–61, and 1962–63).

Gligoric also left a mark in chess history as a superb opening theorist. In particular, he helped develop the theory of popular openings such as the King's Indian Defense, Ruy Lopez, and Nimzo-Indian Defense.