Play Chess Against Efim Geller

Efim Geller (1925-1998), the Soviet grandmaster who held plus scores against world champions, sits across the board. Set the strength, clock, color and starting position, then press Start game.

Play Geller now

Portrait of Efim Petrovich Geller — Efim Petrovich Geller, 1925-1998.

Black · Efim Geller10:00

Choose the settings, then press Start game.

White · You10:00

Efim Gellerhistorical player

Preparing the board.

Set the game on the right. Start unlocks the board and starts the side-to-move clock.

Set up your game against Efim Geller

Efim Geller stays selected. Choose the playing strength, clock, color and starting position.

OpponentEfim GellerStrength1500Clock10+5You playWhite

Opponent

Efim Geller remains selected while you choose the settings for this game.

Efim Geller1925-1998

Playing strength

Legend playing strength100-point steps

1500

1500Geller, 1500 Elo target2600

Time control

The first number is the starting time in minutes. The second is the increment after each completed legal move.

Your color

Starting position optional

All chess legends

Start game locks these settings and begins the selected clock. Change setup unlocks them for a new game.

About Efim Geller

Efim Geller (1925-1998) was the most feared man in the Soviet team room, a player world champions studied with special care. He won the USSR championship in 1955 and then again in 1979 at fifty-four, its oldest winner, and reached the Candidates six times. His lifetime score against world champions was positive, including five wins over Bobby Fischer. In later years he became one of the great opening analysts, working as a second in Karpov's title matches against Kasparov.

Two-time USSR championWon the Soviet championship in 1955 and 1979, the oldest winner at fifty-four

Five wins over FischerHeld a lifetime plus score against Bobby Fischer, with five victories

Six Candidates cyclesFought in the Candidates six times between 1953 and 1971

Karpov's analystServed as a second and opening expert in Karpov's matches against Kasparov

1925
Born in Odessa
Born on 8 March 1925 in Odessa. A talented basketball player in his youth, he came to serious chess relatively late.
1952
Grandmaster
Earned the grandmaster title and joined the deep Soviet elite.
1955
USSR champion
Won the Soviet championship in Moscow ahead of Smyslov and Botvinnik.
1962
Half a point short
At the Curacao Candidates he tied second with Keres, half a point behind Petrosian, who went on to take the crown.
1965
Beats Smyslov
Won his Candidates quarterfinal against former champion Vasily Smyslov, then lost the semifinal to Spassky.
1979
Champion at 54
Won his second USSR championship at fifty-four, the oldest player ever to take that title.
1984
In Karpov's corner
Worked as a second and analyst for Anatoly Karpov in the world championship matches against Garry Kasparov.
1998
Death
Died on 17 November 1998. Champions from Fischer to Kasparov had learned to respect his preparation.