In the world full of World Chess Champions, it is quite easy to forget those who came incredibly close to the throne but never managed to make that final step.
If we disregard Viktor Korchnoi, Paul Keres is arguably the best chess player never to become World Champion.
Chances are, he would have most probably become one were it not for the political circumstances and the outbreak of WWII.
You see, back in 1938, Keres shared the victory at the prestigious AVRO tournament. Although the winner was supposed to challenge Alekhine for the crown, Botvinnik, who came second, also contacted Alekhine. The negotiations were dragged, the war began and nothing came out of the match.
During the War, Keres actually got another real chance for the title. After the German occupation of Estonia, Alekhine, who was also a resident of the Nazi-controlled territory, offered Keres to play a match for the title. Keres, realizing that such a match would be rather compromising, refused.
Anyway, after the war, Keres ran into trouble with the Soviet authorities. Due to allegations of collaborations with Nazis, he was banned from playing and even interrogated by the KGB. Even though an intervention from the Estonian communist party saved him from the worst, he was unable to play in the great post-war tournament in Groningen in 1946. The inability to compete during his best years definitely had an effect on his chess development.
However, despite all that, in the 50s and 60s, Keres was one of the strongest chess players in the World. He finished second in four (!) consecutive Candidates tournaments:
– Zurich 1953, behind Smyslov
– Amsterdam 1956 behind Smyslov
– Zagreb/Bled/Belgrade 1959 behind Tal
– Curacao 1962, behind Petrosian
Thus, on four separate occasions, he came incredibly close to challenging Botvinnik for the crown.
Alas, Caissa is sometimes cruel. Keres’ tragic story came to an end precisely on 7th June, back in 1975.
Today is the 43rd anniversary of his death.
Remember his name.
Remember Paul Petrovich!
(If you like posts as these, check our complete list of Chess Birthdays )