The Italian chess player Enrico Paoli was born on January 13, 1908, and died on December 15, 2005. Paoli, a renowned international chess master, continued to play until his death, making him a major player in the 20th century.
Although Paoli was never officially awarded the International Chess Federation's (FIDE) grandmaster title, he received the honorary title in 1996 after an accumulation of excellent results, including winning the Italian Championship in 1951 and 1957. He also won the Premier Reserve Board prize at the 1950 Dubrovnik Chess Olympiad.
Many great chess champions of the 20th century played with Paoli, including Capablanca, Alekhine, and Max Euwe. Notably, he played in several tournaments with World Chess Championship contenders such as Efim Bogoljubow and Paul Keres.
Throughout his career, Paoli was heavily involved with chess organizations. He was a co-founder and honorary president of the Association of Chess Players, a member of the FIDE Qualification Committee, and a member of the central committee of the Italian Chess Federation.
While he had an impressive playing career, Paoli was also well known for his contributions to chess theory, particularly in the field of endgame study. He also wrote and co-authored several books on chess, adding to his impact on the game. His approach to chess was one of passion and determination, qualities that he repeatedly expressed in interviews. Despite his accomplishments, Paoli remained humble and turned down the offer of a FIDE grandmaster title earlier in his career, claiming to prefer the title of International Master.
In addition to his impact on the chess world, Paoli was also a respected professional accountant and real estate appraiser. He was married to Bianca and they had one daughter, Liliana. To honor his contribution to chess, the Italian Chess Federation now organizes an annual Paoli Memorial Tournament.