Yefim Geller

Yefim Petrovich Geller was born on March 2, 1925 in the Soviet Union. In 1951, he was awarded the International Master title, and the International Grandmaster title the following year. For almost 20 years, he was among the 10 best players in the world.

Geller played in 23 USSR chess championships, a record equalled by Mark Taimanov. He won in 1955 and 1979. Among his best results in other tournaments were equal first with Mikhail Botvinnik at Wijk aan Zee 1969 (ahead of Paul Keres), first at Moscow 1975 (ahead of Boris Spassky, Viktor Korchnoi and Tigran Petrosian) and equal first with Vassily Smyslov at Wijk aan Zee 1977.

Geller reached the later stages of the World Championship several times, most notably finishing just half a point short of playing in the final match at the 1962 Candidates Tournament in Curacao. He is best remembered today for the tactical ability and original attacking style which characterised the earlier part of his career. In later years he became a more rounded player. He was noted as an openings expert, and acted as second (assistant) to Boris Spassky in the World Championship match of 1972 against Bobby Fischer, later seconding Anatoly Karpov. He died on November 17, 1998.

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