Skip to content
TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Store
    • TheChessWorld
    • TCW Academy
    • iChess
    • Chess-Teacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman Chess Lab
    • Foxy Chess
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
    • Rules Chess Strategies
    • Improve My Chess
    • Others
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

Efim Geller – Learning from the Legends

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
03.23.2018
Category: General Information
Tags: Efim Geller, fischer, Learning from the Legends, Mikhail Botvinnik, Petrosian, world champion,
Efim Geller – Learning from the Legends

We believe that knowing the classics is one of the first steps to improve in chess. This is why we have started this series of articles where we try to bring you closer some of the great classics of our times and show some of their games to serve you as a starting point for your own further study. So far we have talked mostly about ex-World Champions, names that every chess player knows. In this article, we are going to present you a very strong player, but considerably less-known, especially by the younger generations. He never got to be a World Champion, but he was one of the best players of his time and scored many wins against his famous colleagues.

Efim Geller was born in Odessa, in the Soviet Union, in 1925. He began to make his mark in the late 1940s, with his most notable result so far being achieved in 1947 when he placed sixth in the Ukrainian Championship. Two years later he qualified in the USSR Final, where he tied for 3rd-4th, by defeating well-known players like Flohr, Petrosian, Boleslavsky, and Kotov. He was awarded the International Master title in 1951 and the Grandmaster one in 1952. He is also reckoned to have been among the top ten players in the world for about twenty years.

He played the Candidates tournament several times and he achieved his best result in 1962, when he placed second, behind Tigran Petrosian. In team events, he has successfully represented the USSR several times, both in European Championships and Olympiads. He was selected over a 28 years span for the latter and contributed to his team greatly, having won three gold and as many silver medals on his board. He remained active in chess tournaments until he was 70, continuing to win many important competitions and producing highly instructive games.

Although his early games were characterized by an original attacking style, Geller developed into a universal player. He was viewed as an opening expert, having brought significant contributions to many important opening such as the King’s Indian (for black) or the Najdorf (the 6. Be2 line, which he used to defeat Fischer). His work also included helping the top players of those times, being a second for Fischer, Keres, and Petrosian.

Geller has played many instructive games and a quick search in the database will show numerous wins against top players of his time. For the purpose of this article, we have selected only three of them, but we invite you to include his games in your training routine – you will have a lot to learn! We are going to start with his win against ex-World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik with the black pieces in 1952. He used one of his favorite weapons, the King’s Indian, and soon obtained a superior position that he didn’t fail to convert.

Check out the game:

We will continue with another resounding victory, this time against Bobby Fischer with the white pieces in the Candidates tournament in 1962. Again, we see him using one of the lines he has developed himself – the 6.Be2 against the Najdorf. It’s a very instructive game where we can learn how white can conduct a powerful and successful attack on the queenside.

See it below:

Last, we have decided to add a game from his last years as an active player. Here, he beats Russian (now playing for Spain) Grandmaster Oleg Korneev, who at the time was in his best shape, in the Russian Championship in an interesting strategic fight. It’s instructive to watch how white tries to make the most of his bishop pair, but at the same time tries to keep black’s pieces uncoordinated.

Play the game with commentary below:

Find this post useful? Share it?
Become a Chess Player You've Meant to Be!
TCW Academy is the fast, fun & convenient way to become a MUCH better chess player.
Join Academy Today!

Related Posts

  • 10 Things You Can Learn from Mikhail Botvinnik10 Things You Can Learn from Mikhail Botvinnik
  • Bobby Fischer:  Complete Attacking GuideBobby Fischer: Complete Attacking Guide
  • 10 Reasons Why Club Players Should Study the Classics10 Reasons Why Club Players Should Study the Classics
Related Products
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Login
1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Fernando Gonzalez
09.23.2018 04:40

Great article,
but I think there may be a mistake here:
“His work also included helping the top players of those times, being a second for Fischer, Keres, and Petrosian.”
The meaning reads he was a second (assistant, coach) to Fischer, but they never worked together
(on the other hand he was also a second to Spassky and Karpov besides Petrosian).
If the intended meaning is “he was top 1 in the world except for Fischer..”, then I think it should read “he second to Fischer”.

Thanks and again great article.

0
Reply
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
TheChessWorld.com
http://pogonina.com/
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz
wpDiscuz