Alexei Shirov is a prominent chess grandmaster who was born in 1972 in Riga, Latvia. He moved to Spain in 1995 and represented the country until 2011 when he started to play for Latvia again. Shirov, who first achieved his grandmaster title at age 17, has numerous major victories under his belt. These include strong performances in multiple tournaments and world-level competitions.
Shirov's style of play is characterized by aggressive and imaginative moves. He is known for his wide opening repertoire and his preference for controversial openings. He has authored two books, "Fire on Board: Shirov's Best Games" and "Fire on Board, Part Two: 1997–2004." These books have been acclaimed for their insightful commentary and forthright presentation of Shirov's own highly creative games.
Some of Shirov's accomplishments include his 1998 win in the Ter Apel tournament and his 2005 victory in the Paul Keres Memorial Rapid Tournament. In 2000, he came close to winning the World Chess Championship, defeating Vladimir Kramnik in the candidates final but eventually losing to Viswanathan Anand.
On the national level, Shirov has won the championship of Spain multiple times and was the champion of Latvia in 2017. His successes have made him one of the leading figures in the world of chess.