Supreme Chess

Szymon Winawer

Szymon Abramowicz Winawer was born on March 5, 1838 in Warsaw, Poland. In Paris of1867, he played in his first international tournament. He finished 2nd, tied with Steinitz behind Kolisch. He remained one of the world's best players for the next fifteen years. In Paris of 1878, Winawer tied for 1st with Zukertort ahead of Blackburne and George Henry Mackenzie, but after a play-off only took 2nd prize. In what was the strongest chess tournament in history up to that time, he had his best result by tying for 1st with Wilhelm Steinitz In Vienna of 1882. He also won the German chess championship in 1883.

In the 1890s, Winawer returned to chess after a long absence. By that time, he had been surpassed by younger players like Tarrasch and Lasker. He continued to play competitive chess into his 60s. In his career he played all of the top players from the last third of the 19th century, from Anderssen to Lasker. His rivalry with Blackburne stretched from 1870 to 1901. On January 12, 1920, he died in Warsaw.

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