15 Facts About Ratmir Kholmov

Ratmir Dmitrievich Kholmov was a Russian chess Grandmaster.

Ratmir Kholmov won many international tournaments in Eastern Europe during his career, and tied for the Soviet Championship title in 1963, but lost the playoff.

Ratmir Kholmov stayed active in competitive chess right to the end of his life, and maintained a high standard of play past the age of 80.

Ratmir Kholmov learned chess at age 12, and was near Master strength within three years.

Ratmir Kholmov served as a sailor in the Soviet merchant marine during World War II, sailing mainly the Northern Arctic route.

Ratmir Kholmov won, or tied for 1st, in the Lithuanian championships in 1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1955,1957,1958,1959, and 1960, making a total of ten outright or shared Lithuanian titles.

Consequently, Ratmir Kholmov is arguably the strongest player of the era ranging from the 1940s through the 1960s to never hold the title of Soviet Champion.

Ratmir Kholmov moved to Moscow in 1967 and lived there for the rest of his life.

Ratmir Kholmov got just one chance to represent the USSR in a team event at full international level when he played board ten at the European Team Championships, Kapfenberg 1970.

Ratmir Kholmov did play in many national matches, such as against Hungary and Yugoslavia, generally scoring well.

Ratmir Kholmov continued to stay very active in competitive play, and he was generally quite successful.

Ratmir Kholmov played competitive chess virtually right up until his death in early 2006 at age 80.

Ratmir Kholmov appeared in a Senior event in Dresden, 50 years after he won a tournament there.

Ratmir Kholmov was known as "The Central Defender" in Soviet chess circles, because of his great skill at repulsing enemy aggression.

Ratmir Kholmov scored wins over World Champions Petrosian, Spassky, Fischer, and Garry Kasparov.