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By Slobodan Adzic
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Can you imagine someone saying: “I have beaten Lasker, Capablanca and
Alekhine”. Actually saying it today, the year 2008? But Andor Arnoldovich
Lilienthal, who this year celebrated his 97th birthday, is the oldest living
grandmaster. In his long career he has recorded wins against Emanuel Lasker,
José Raúl Capablanca, Alexander Alekhine, Max Euwe, Mikhail Botvinnik,
Vasily Smyslov, as well as players like Tartakower, Najdorf, Bronstein and Taimanov.
You don't believe us? Here are
some games...
Lilienthal was born in Moscow on May 5, 1911 to Hungarian Jewish parents. He
moved to Hungary at age two. He played for Hungary in three Chess Olympiads,
1933, 1935, and 1937. Emigrating to the Soviet Union in 1935, he became a Soviet
citizen in 1939. Lilienthal played in the USSR Chess Championship eight times,
with his best result being a first place tie with Igor Bondarevsky in 1940.
He qualified for the Candidates Tournament once, in 1948.
From 1951 until 1960 he was Tigran Petrosian's trainer. Lilienthal began a
friendship with Vasily Smyslov in 1938, and was Smyslov's second in his world
championship matches against Botvinnik. He retired from tournament play in 1965
and returned to Hungary in 1976.
Lilienthal in the past five years
At the Cap
d'Agde tournament of 2003 Andor Lilienthal was one of the special guests
Age difference 72 years: Lilienthal with FIDE champ Ruslan Ponomariov in 2003
With wife Olga on his 94th birthday in 2005
This is how the 94-year-old got around Budapest
Andor in his Toyota Yaris
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