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Happened Today in the Chess World - Feb 2, 2024

I PLAY AGAINST PIECES

Yerevan 1989: Svetozar Gligoric plays Vladimir Akopian
Photo: Personal Archive V. Akopian / chessbase - Source: @dgriffinchess

Today, we remember Grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric, born in Belgrade, sebia (Yugoslavia back then), on February 2, 1923.
Gligoric was an 11-time Yugoslav champion, gold medal (individual and team) playing on first board at the 1956 Olympics in Dubrovnik, and qualified three times among the candidates for the world title. Gligoric defeated six world champions: Euwe, Botvinnik, Smyslov, Tal, Petrosian, and Fischer. Universally considered one of the greatest opening experts, Gligoric authored many books.
He reached his peak rating in July 1971 with 2600 Elo points, 15th in the world ranking; according to Chessmetrics, "Gliga" would have been 6th between 1958 and 1960.
The following combination is one of the most famous and spectacular played by Gligoric. His motto was "I play against pieces," which is also the title of his autobiography.

Svetozar Gligoric-Erwin Nievergelt, Zurich 1959
White to move