An outstanding chess figure, international grandmaster, chess composer, international chess arbiter, Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR, honorary citizen of Kaluga Yuri Averbakh is celebrating his centenary. The future grandmaster was born in Kaluga on February 8, 1922.
The first President of Kalmykia, sixth FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov sent his best wishes to Yuri Averbakh on his 100th birthday:
“Dear Yuri Lvovich! I sincerely congratulate you on your birthday! Throughout your life, you have earned the right to be called a chess legend, a genius of Russian chess television. Many generations of Soviet schoolchildren have gone through your "Chess School"!
I remember your words very well: “I am infinitely grateful to the royal game for bringing me a lot of joy. Not so much the joy of success or victories as the joy of creativity. Following Tarrasch, I can repeat that chess, like love or music, can make a person truly happy.”
This phrase for me is one of the most beautiful, subtly and accurately characterizing your attitude to the ancient game to which you dedicated your life.
Yuri Lvovich, I am proud that I had the great honour to live at the same time with you, communicate with you and admire your colossal talent! I wish you good health, good luck and new achievements!”
