Paul Keres was an Estonian chess grandmaster and prominent chess writer. Born on January 7, 1916, he was widely acclaimed as one of the greatest players in history. However, he never won the World Championship title, despite earning the moniker “the Crown Prince of Chess.” Keres participated in many World Championship Candidate tournaments and won a total of five of these tournaments from 1938 to 1965.
Keres began to play chess at a young age and won his first tournament at the age of 14. He rose to prominence in 1935 when he won his first International Tournament. In 1938, Keres became an International Grandmaster.
Although he represented Estonia in four Chess Olympiads, winning numerous medals, his career was significantly impacted by World War II and the ensuing Soviet occupation. Keres was forced under threat to represent the Soviet Union in international competitions. Despite these challenges, Keres placed first and second in multiple prestigious chess tournaments.
Keres is renowned for his contributions to chess literature. He authored numerous books and articles, and was also a well-established chess journalist and editor in Estonia. He passed away on June 5, 1975, due to a heart attack.
Paul Keres' legacy lives on today, with several memorials, tournaments, and a postage stamp dedicated to his honor in Estonia. He is remembered as a chess legend who made significant contributions to the game, both as a player and a writer.