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Happened Today in the Chess World - Mar 29, 2024

THE "FRANCESISTA"

IBM Chess Tournament, Amsterdam 1972: GM Wolfgang Uhlmann
Photo: Nationaal Archief / ANEFO

Today, we remember Grandmaster Wolfgang Uhlmann. He was born in Dresden, Germany, on March 29, 1935.
Uhlmann was an 11-time East Germany Champion and represented his country in eleven Olympiads, winning individual medals (a gold and a bronze) on the first board.
Uhlmann was a candidate for the world title in 1970; in the same year, Uhlmann was part of the Rest of the World Team that challenged the Soviet Union in Belgrade.
In his career, Uhlmann defeated five world champions: Botvinnik, Smyslov, Fischer, Anand, and Khalifman.
Uhlmann was the only real professional player in East Germany. He has had a long career, playing in the Bundesliga even after his 80th birthday.
His peak rating was 2590 Elo points (not official yet then), reached in 1967, which placed him at around the 15th position in the world.
Uhlmann authored several chess books and was famous worldwide as one of the greatest experts on the French opening.

Svenn Hamann-Wolfgang Uhlmann, Halle (zonale) 1963
Black to move