Happened Today in the Chess World - July 18, 2024

THE SON OF THE MATCH OF THE CENTURY

GM Hannes Stefansson - Photo: Maria Emelianova

Today is the birthday of Grandmaster Hannes Stefansson, born in Reykjavik, Iceland, on July 18, 1972, during the days when the Spassky-Fischer World Championship match was taking place. World under-16 champion in 1987, Stefansson holds the record for victories in the Icelandic Championship with 13 wins, ranging from 1998 to 2019.
He reached his highest rating in January 2002 with 2604 Elo points. One of the pioneers of the Icelandic Gambit in the Scandinavian Defense, during his career, Stefansson defeated Kortschnoj, Ponomariov, Adams, Short, Jussupow, M. Gurevich, Ehlvest, and also Karpov in rapid and blitz.

Arturs Neiksans (2440) vs. Hannes Stefansson (2549), Liepaya (rapid) 2004
Black to move

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