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  3. /Shirov, Alexei

Shirov, Alexei

modern era

Alexei Shirov is one of the most spectacular tacticians in chess history, a protege of fellow Latvian and former World Champion Mikhail Tal. His best games collection "Fire on Board" became a classic of chess literature, showcasing his brilliant sacrifices and combinational vision. Shirov defeated Kramnik in a 1998 Candidates match to earn a World Championship challenge against Kasparov, though the match never materialized.

Total Games

6011

Wins

2877

Draws

2020

Losses

1114

47.9% wins33.6% draws18.5% losses

Most Played Openings

B90 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation238C02 - French Defense: Advance Variation213C78 - Ruy Lopez: Brix Variation208B12 - Caro-Kann Defense202C42 - Petrov's Defense149D45 - Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line140B33 - Sicilian Defense: Open115C67 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Berlin Wall108C11 - French Defense: Steinitz Variation103D12 - Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Landau Variation90

Most Faced Opponents

Anand,V63 gamesIvanchuk,V54 gamesTopalov,V48 gamesKramnik,V47 gamesKramnik, Vladimir46 gamesGelfand,B43 gamesIvanchuk, Vassily38 gamesLeko,P35 gamesAnand, Viswanathan33 gamesGelfand, Boris32 games

Featured Games

FCGFCG
1-0

Shirov,A vs Kotronias,V

WCC

2005

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FCGFCG
0-1

Topalov,V vs Shirov,A

FIDE WCh KO

2001

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FCGFCG
0-1

Shirov, Alexei vs Ivanchuk, Vassily

Linares 14th

1997

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FCGFCG
0-1

Hauchard, Arnaud vs Shirov, Alexei

Wch U20

1990

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FCGFCG
1-0

Kamsky, Gata vs Shirov, Alexei

Amber-rapid 5th

1996

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FCGFCG
1-0

Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Shirov, Alexei

Amber-blind 5th

1996

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FCGFCG
1-0

Gdanski, Jacek vs Shirov, Alexei

Wch U20

1989

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FCGFCG
1-0

Shirov, Alexei vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir

Amber-rapid 5th

1996

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FCGFCG
1-0

Shirov,A vs Rapport,R

42nd Olympiad 2016

2016

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FCGFCG
0-1

Rizouk,A vs Shirov,A

FIDE WCh KO

2001

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Games (6011)

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Jussupow,Ar vs Shirov,A
0-1
Gibraltar Open 2012 A48
Shirov,A vs Khalifman,A
1-0
XXI Paul Keres Memorial Rapid 2012 C63
Grischuk,A vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
18th European Teams 2011 D44
Shirov,A vs Morozevich,A
1/2-1/2
Governor's Cup 2011 C11
Leko,P vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Governor's Cup 2011 C19
Ponomariov,R vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Governor's Cup 2011 D45
Grischuk,A vs Shirov,A
1-0
27th ECC 2011 C78
Petrosian,TL vs Shirov,A
0-1
27th ECC 2011 C77
Vachier Lagrave,M vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Biel ACCENTUS GM 2011 D43
Shirov,A vs Pelletier,Y
1/2-1/2
Biel ACCENTUS GM 2011 C10
Pelletier,Y vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Biel ACCENTUS GM 2011 D44
Shirov,A vs Vachier Lagrave,M
1/2-1/2
Biel ACCENTUS GM 2011 B90
Shirov,A vs Giri,A
1/2-1/2
19th Sigeman & Co 2011 C24
So,W vs Shirov,A
1-0
19th Sigeman & Co 2011 D11
Anand,V vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
24th Leon Masters 2011 D43
Shirov,A vs Anand,V
0-1
24th Leon Masters 2011 B12
Anand,V vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
24th Leon Masters 2011 D43
Shirov,A vs Anand,V
0-1
24th Leon Masters 2011 B12
Shirov,A vs Anand,V
1/2-1/2
24th Leon Masters 2011 B12
Anand,V vs Shirov,A
1-0
24th Leon Masters 2011 D43
Shirov,A vs L'Ami,E
1/2-1/2
73rd Tata Steel GMA 2011 C80
Wang Hao vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
73rd Tata Steel GMA 2011 D11
Shirov,A vs Vachier Lagrave,M
0-1
73rd Tata Steel GMA 2011 D86
Smeets,J vs Shirov,A
1-0
73rd Tata Steel GMA 2011 C78
Ivanchuk,V vs Shirov,A
1-0
European Rapid Championship Playoff 3rd-4th 2010 A20
Shirov,A vs Eljanov,P
1-0
Tal Memorial 2010 B12
Shirov,A vs Wang Hao
0-1
Tal Memorial 2010 C11
Shirov,A vs Giri,A
1-0
Unive Crown Group 2010 E52
Giri,A vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Unive Crown Group 2010 D45
Shirov,A vs Kramnik,V
1/2-1/2
Grand Slam Final Masters 2010 E25
Carlsen,M vs Shirov,A
1-0
Grand Slam Final Masters 2010 C78
Anand,V vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Grand Slam Final Masters 2010 C12
Shirov,A vs Carlsen,M
1/2-1/2
Grand Slam Final Masters 2010 C95
Kramnik,V vs Shirov,A
1-0
Grand Slam Final Masters 2010 D16
Shirov,A vs Anand,V
1/2-1/2
Grand Slam Final Masters 2010 C67
Shirov,A vs Jobava,Ba
1-0
39th Olympiad Men 2010 B12
Stevic,H vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
39th Olympiad Men 2010 C45
Shirov,A vs Berg,E
1-0
39th Olympiad Men 2010 B96
Vachier Lagrave,M vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
39th Olympiad Men 2010 D52
Van Wely,L vs Shirov,A
1-0
39th Olympiad Men 2010 D52
Shirov,A vs Miezis,N
1-0
39th Olympiad Men 2010 B43
Shirov,A vs Aronian,L
1/2-1/2
Shanghai Masters 2010 C89
Shirov,A vs Kramnik,V
1-0
Shanghai Masters 2010 E20
Aronian,L vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Shanghai Masters 2010 D45
Kramnik,V vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Shanghai Masters 2010 D52
Shirov,A vs Karjakin,Sergey
0-1
4th ACP World Rapid Cup 2010 C92
Karjakin,Sergey vs Shirov,A
1-0
4th ACP World Rapid Cup 2010 C69
Shirov,A vs Karjakin,Sergey
1-0
4th ACP World Rapid Cup 2010 C67
Shirov,A vs Karjakin,Sergey
1-0
4th ACP World Rapid Cup 2010 C92
Karjakin,Sergey vs Shirov,A
1-0
4th ACP World Rapid Cup 2010 C69
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