I often remember his words: “I am infinitely grateful to the royal game for bringing me a lot of joy. Chess, like love or music, can make a person truly happy.”
I convey my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Yuri Lvovich.
On May 7, the oldest grandmaster in the world, Yuri Lvovich Averbakh, passed away. He died at the age of 101. Yuri Averbakh was a former chairman of the USSR Chess Federation, the author of several books about the endgame and the editor-in-chief of the Chess in the USSR and Chess in Russia magazines. In 1949 and 1950, Averbakh became the champion of Moscow, and in 1954 - the champion of the USSR. One variation of the King's Indian Defence in the opening of the game is named after him.
Averbakh was fond of chess from the age of three; he played it from the age of seven. Winner of the All-Union tournament (1938) among schoolchildren. Winner of several international competitions. As part of the USSR national team, he participated in matches with chess players from Argentina, Great Britain, the USA, Uruguay, France, Sweden, Yugoslavia. For his chess achievements he was awarded orders and medals.
Yuri Lvovich lived a long and interesting life. He never betrayed the ancient game, he always thought about the beauty of chess, he perfectly knew and loved the endless world that he saw on the chessboard.
