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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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Gelfand,B vs Shirov,A
0-1
ECC 2003 C88
Radjabov,T vs Shirov,A
0-1
Bosnia GM 2003 D47
Shirov,A vs Kasimdzhanov,R
1/2-1/2
Bosnia GM 2003 C88
Shirov,A vs Khalifman,A
1/2-1/2
XII It I 2003 C18
Van Wely,L vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2003 D27
Shirov,A vs Van Wely,L
1-0
Amber Rapid 2003 B33
Shirov,A vs Almasi,Z
0-1
Amber Blindfold 2003 C67
Almasi,Z vs Shirov,A
1-0
Amber Rapid 2003 C70
Shirov,A vs Bareev,E
1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2003 C11
Bareev,E vs Shirov,A
0-1
Amber Blindfold 2003 A15
Adams,Mi vs Shirov,A
0-1
Hrokurinn 2003 B30
Shirov,A vs Korchnoi,V
1/2-1/2
Hrokurinn 2003 C83
Shirov,A vs Topalov,V
1/2-1/2
GMA 2003 B12
Radjabov,T vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
GMA 2003 D47
Shirov,A vs Anand,V
0-1
GMA 2003 B12
Polgar,Ju vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
GMA 2003 B33
Shirov,A vs Grischuk,A
0-1
GMA 2003 B33
Shirov,A vs Kramnik,V
1-0
GMA 2003 B33
Ponomariov,R vs Shirov,A
0-1
GMA 2003 D44
Shirov,A vs Ivanchuk,V
1/2-1/2
GMA 2003 B32
Karpov,An vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
GMA 2003 D20
Shirov,A vs Timman,J
1/2-1/2
GMA 2003 C18
Shirov,A vs Ponomariov,R
1/2-1/2
Superstars Hotel Bali 2002 C67
Shirov,A vs Karpov,An
1-0
Superstars Hotel Bali 2002 C42
Karjakin,Sergey vs Shirov,A
1-0
Superstars Hotel Bali 2002 B32
Polgar,Ju vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Superstars Hotel Bali 2002 E67
Shirov,A vs Karpov,An
0-1
6th Corsica Masters 2002 C42
Karpov,An vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
6th Corsica Masters 2002 D30
Shirov,A vs Svidler,P
1/2-1/2
ECC 2002 C88
Shirov,A vs Svidler,P
1-0
RUS vs. ROW 2002 B80
Grischuk,A vs Shirov,A
0-1
RUS vs. ROW 2002 B12
Shirov,A vs Karpov,An
1/2-1/2
RUS vs. ROW 2002 B17
Khalifman,A vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
RUS vs. ROW 2002 A29
Kasparov,G vs Shirov,A
1-0
RUS vs. ROW 2002 B12
Shirov,A vs Kramnik,V
1-0
RUS vs. ROW 2002 B19
Shirov,A vs Morozevich,A
1-0
RUS vs. ROW 2002 C42
Shirov,A vs Leko,P
0-1
Sparkassen sf 2002 B31
Leko,P vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Sparkassen sf 2002 B92
Shirov,A vs Leko,P
0-1
Sparkassen sf 2002 B33
Shirov,A vs Topalov,V
1-0
Sparkassen Gp 1 Playoff 2002 C42
Topalov,V vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Sparkassen Gp 1 Playoff 2002 D43
Shirov,A vs Gelfand,B
1-0
Sparkassen Gp 1 2002 B51
Topalov,V vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Sparkassen Gp 1 2002 C99
Shirov,A vs Topalov,V
1/2-1/2
Sparkassen Gp 1 2002 B33
Gelfand,B vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Sparkassen Gp 1 2002 D47
Radjabov,T vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Bosnia GM 2002 D97
Shirov,A vs Karpov,An
0-1
Eurotel Trophy 2002 C42
Karpov,An vs Shirov,A
1-0
Eurotel Trophy 2002 E63
Shirov,A vs Karpov,An
1/2-1/2
Eurotel Trophy 2002 C42
Karpov,An vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Eurotel Trophy 2002 D20
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