We humans have a strong tendency to remember only the very best.

We also have a tendency to forget not only people who weren’t the best, but also those who helped the very best behind the best.

Elmar Magerramov is a perfect example. I am willing to bet many of you have never heard of his name.

However, he was not only a very strong player, 1991 USSR Champion and the very first grandmaster in the history of Azerbaijan (1992). But also the training partner of none other than Garry Kasparov – the greatest chess player of all times. They played several training games in Garry’s youth and Magerramov even served as his second during the 1984 match against Karpov.

In his book, Genius in the background, Hungarian IM Tibor Karolyi devoted him a whole chapter.

On our social media and blog, we would like to devote him this post. We think he is one of those players that is worth mentioning more.

Happy birthday, mr. Elmar!

(If you like posts as these, check our complete list of Chess Birthdays )