Boleslavsky Isaac

Born June 9, 1919 in Ukraine

Winner of the tournament in Kuibyshev (1942), a member of the final match of applicants (1950).
Repeated winner USSR Championship
Grandmaster since 1950, Mr..

Isaac Efremovich Boleslavsky almost never held in the first place tournaments net. His only tournament victory was a military tournament in Kuibyshev in 1942, which did not differ much composition.

And, nevertheless, Boleslavsky was a step away from glory. In 1950, he had to win the tournament contenders and leave the match with world champion Botvinnik. In matches against Bronstein, Keres, Smyslov, Najdorf and other strong chess players of his time Boleslavsky not lost a single game and for two rounds to finish a point ahead of nearest rival, Bronstein.

Boleslavsky not believe that Bronstein can win two in a row and made two quick draw. But Bronstein was able. In the last round Boleslavsky at 16-th move has agreed to a draw by Stahlberg, and Bronstein won by Keres ...

Match was held in bitter struggle. Is losing to the seventh installment of two points, managed to recoup Boleslavsky. Culminating in mad Thirteenth Party. We Boleslavsky on the board were two queen, he won in one move, but ... error, and the game ended in a draw. Fourteenth installment, and with it the match won Bronstein.
Give seditious thought: Botvinnik, with whom he had always played so poorly (total score: '-7'), Boleslavsky still would have lost. To conquer the top, he was too good, good man.

Since 1950, his success waned, too much has been short draws. Soon Isaac Efremovich went to coaching. He coached various teams, and his client Petrosian in 1963, won the match with Botvinnik and became world champion. His disciples Boleslavsky gave a lot of original fresh ideas.

Choose the best party Boleslavsky difficult. He chased the external effects. He distinguished himself against the party Alatortseva, which donated a queen (though for the rook, bishop and an overwhelming position.) In my opinion, much brighter than the characteristic style Boleslavsky its 22-way victory against Smyslov. So, in 1950, Budapest, the main tournament in the life of Isaac Yefremovich Boleslavsky ...