Source: National Archives & Historic Records of Governorate of Saint Petersburg
Sports & Athletics • Historical Archive • 🇪🇪 Estonia • 0 views

Paul Keres 🇪🇪

Paul Keres (Known as "The Eternal Second (Igavene teine)")
International Chess Grandmaster, AVRO 1938 Winner, National Hero
Born Jan 07, 1916 🇪🇪 Narva, Estonia
Passed Away Jun 05, 1975 Helsinki, Finland, Estonia
Lifespan 59 years old
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"The board is a universe of pure reason where the gentleman wins with intellect and accepts defeat with honor."

Archival Overview

Legendary international chess grandmaster hailed as 'The Eternal Second', winner of the historic 1938 AVRO tournament, who defeated nine world chess champions and was honored as Estonia's Sportsman of the Century.

Biographical Record

Paul Keres was born in Narva on January 7, 1916. Learning chess at age four, Keres achieved international stardom in 1938 by winning the prestigious AVRO tournament ahead of Alekhine, Capablanca, and Botvinnik, earning the right to challenge for the World Championship.

Tragically denied his title match by World War II, Keres finished second in four consecutive World Championship Candidates Tournaments (1953, 1956, 1959, 1962). Universally loved for his gentlemanly chivalry, calm elegance, and attacking tactical brilliance, his state funeral in Tallinn in 1975 drew over 100,000 mourners; his portrait adorned the 5-kroon banknote.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Metsakalmistu (Forest Cemetery)
Tallinn, Estonia
GPS: 59.4710, 24.8690
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