Eero Böök was a Finnish chess grandmaster and author, best known for his contributions to chess in Finland at both national and international levels. He was born on February 9, 1910, in Helsinki, and died on January 7, 1990. He was celebrated for his devotion to the game of chess, as well as for his sportsmanship, collegiality, integrity, and humour.
Böök dedicated a significant portion of his life to promoting chess, contributing as a player, referee, teacher, organizer, and author. He made noteworthy advancements such as creating the Finnish Chess Federation, where he served as chairman from 1944 to 1946. In 1951, he became the first Finnish player to earn the International Master title and then received the Grandmaster title in 1982.
On an international level, Böök participated in many competitions, and his notable battle against reigning world champion Anatoly Karpov in 1970 is remembered as a great moment in Finnish chess history.
Böök wrote several chess books to share his knowledge and experiences, which included "Shakinpelaajan käsikirja" and "Kolme vuosikymmentä shakinpelaajana". He was also an editor for the Finnish chess magazine 'Shakki'. Böök was awarded the grandmaster title for chess compositions in 1978, making him the only person in Finland with grandmaster titles in both playing and solving chess.
Despite his talents and achievements, Böök remained humble and was known for his unruffled patience. He was a well-loved figure in chess for his impeccable sportsmanship, and his contributions to the world of chess are remembered even after his death in 1990.