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Kevin has an interesting article on Geller on his blog. Why such a strong player never became World Champion? Kevin has an interesting theory. His comment that young players of today mostly have no idea who Geller was brought back some interesting memories for me. In 1986 I played in my first international tournament in Rejkyavik, Iceland. In round two I was seated between Efim Geller and Misha Tal as a result of being paired with Valery Salov. I spent more time following Geller's and Tal's moves than my own! The curious thing was there was Geller at age 60 (looking like a retired railroad engineer with his striped shirt, vest, and suspenders) the legendary theorist playing a hybrid of the Ujtelsky Opening (Russian for Scorpion) as Black! Perhaps that opening should be called the Geller Opening or Geller Defence. I recalled thinking what is a strong grandmaster doing playing such an opening and thinking maybe he wasnt serious and was just having a little fun in Iceland! I have sure learned a lot about openings since then!
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Re: Geller article on Kevin Spraggett's blog
Hans I did some searching on the internet and found this information about Geller:
"With impressive scores against so many top players, Geller was perhaps a bit unlucky not to become World Champion. Former champion Botvinnik stated that, in his opinion, Geller was the best player in the world in the late 1960s. Geller seemed to be stronger in tournament play than in matches (source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efim_Geller).
Geller "was a true student of the game and stated "I personally gain the most satisfaction from chess when, like Botvinnik, I am engaged in studying the secrets of this ancient and eternally youthful game.According to Tal he made more one move mistakes than most players of his strength (due to his comparative late start he thought) and was quite a slow player frequently getting into time trouble. Another source of errors was undoubtably his uncompromising style which is pretty much bound to lead to errors on occasion. Later being such a student of the game he developed the ability to play a more conservative style, quite necessary as on trips to foreign countries Soviet players were expected to take first place before anything else.An ox of a man he was very still and calm at the board (apart from his chain smoking) and he certainly had a calm confidence in his own abilities. He was rarely flustered except in the famous rook and pawn ending against Fischer from the 1970 interzonal where he apparently became momentarily became confused as to which way the pawns were moving after a long defence (source: http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic211.html#2)
Kasparov was asked about Geller, just after the latter passed away, and Kasparov was quoted as saying: Kasparov: "Efim Geller a man of outstanding chess abilities. I didn't get much time to work with him, but even several short sessions I had with him before my match with Nigel Short, demonstrated to me his deep and impressive understanding of the game." (source:http://www.chessclub.com/resources/a..._kasparov.html)
Geller, is reckoned to have been among the best ten players in the world for around twenty years,He played in 23 USSR Chess Championships, a record equalled by Mark Taimanov, achieving good results in many and winning in 1979 and 1955 when, despite losing five games, he finished with 12/19 and then defeated Vassily Smyslov in a playoff match. 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.
According to Jeff Sonas' Chessmetrics rating system, Geller was ranked #3 in the world from 1962-3, and was in the world's top 10 for much of the 50s and 60s, and broke back into the top 10 in 1973, 1975–7 and 1979–80.http://www.chessmetrics.com/PL/PL12392.htm Geller also had an overall plus score against world champions, +39 -31 =123, comprising Mikhail Botvinnik +4 -1 =5, Vasily Smyslov +11 -7 =31, Mikhail Tal +6 -6 =22, Tigran Petrosian +6 -2 =33, Boris Spassky +6 -9 =22, Bobby Fischer +5 -3 =2, Anatoly Karpov +1 -2 =5, Gary Kasparov +0 -1 =3.
Geller 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. His books included an autobiography, translated by Bernard Cafferty as Grandmaster Geller at the Chessboard (1969)." (source:http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/efim-geller/).
"Out of more than 30 strong events he played between 1952-1980 he won or shared 11 firsts and 7 second places. (source:http://www.chess.gr/tourn/1998/geller/)
Lastly, I suggest all of you who are interested in Geller go and read this long discussion about him done by FIDE Master Mikhail Vasilyey at this website:http://members.lycos.co.uk/csarchive/geller_e.htm
Sincerely,
Wayne Mendyrk
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