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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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Shirov,A vs Aronian,L★
0-1
Tal Memorial 2006 C89
Shirov,A vs Leko,P★
1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial 2006 C89
Svidler,P vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial 2006 C99
Shirov,A vs Mamedyarov,S★
1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial 2006 C95
Radjabov,T vs Shirov,A★
1-0
37th Olympiad 2006 C68
Shirov,A vs Gurevich,M★
0-1
WCC 2005 C02
Gurevich,M vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
WCC 2005 D45
Kotronias,V vs Shirov,A★
0-1
WCC 2005 C99
Shirov,A vs Kotronias,V★
1-0
WCC 2005 C67
Shirov,A vs Kuderinov,K★
1-0
WCC 2005 C62
Kuderinov,K vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
WCC 2005 B52
Shirov,A vs Leko,P★
1-0
Amber Rapid 2005 B31
Leko,P vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2005 C42
Morozevich,A vs Shirov,A★
1-0
Amber Blindfold 2005 D31
Shirov,A vs Morozevich,A★
1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2005 D17
Gelfand,B vs Shirov,A★
0-1
Amber Rapid 2005 D45
Shirov,A vs Gelfand,B★
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2005 C42
Shirov,A vs Svidler,P★
1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2005 B42
Svidler,P vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2005 B30
Shirov,A vs Topalov,V★
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2005 C67
Topalov,V vs Shirov,A★
1-0
Amber Rapid 2005 D15
Shirov,A vs Ivanchuk,V★
0-1
Amber Blindfold 2005 C02
Ivanchuk,V vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2005 C80
Shirov,A vs Kramnik,V★
0-1
Amber Blindfold 2005 C26
Kramnik,V vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2005 C80
Anand,V vs Shirov,A★
1-0
Amber Blindfold 2005 C42
Shirov,A vs Anand,V★
0-1
Amber Rapid 2005 B12
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Shirov,A★
1-0
36th Olympiad 2004 B30
Shirov,A vs Anand,V★
1/2-1/2
36th Olympiad 2004 C80
Radjabov,T vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
36th Olympiad 2004 D12
Shirov,A vs Anand,V★
1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2004 C88
Anand,V vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2004 C88
Topalov,V vs Shirov,A★
1-0
Amber Rapid 2004 C88
Shirov,A vs Topalov,V★
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2004 C67
Svidler,P vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2004 C88
Shirov,A vs Svidler,P★
1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2004 B83
Kramnik,V vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2004 C88
Shirov,A vs Kramnik,V★
1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2004 B30
Ivanchuk,V vs Shirov,A★
1-0
Amber Rapid 2004 D38
Shirov,A vs Ivanchuk,V★
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2004 B47
Shirov,A vs Morozevich,A★
1-0
Amber Rapid 2004 C11
Morozevich,A vs Shirov,A★
1-0
Amber Blindfold 2004 C77
Shirov,A vs Gelfand,B★
1-0
Amber Rapid 2004 B84
Gelfand,B vs Shirov,A★
0-1
Amber Blindfold 2004 D45
Shirov,A vs Leko,P★
1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2004 E12
Leko,P vs Shirov,A★
1-0
Amber Rapid 2004 B32
Gelfand,B vs Shirov,A★
1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2003 D45
Shirov,A vs Gelfand,B★
1-0
Amber Blindfold 2003 C42
Shirov,A vs Ljubojevic,L★
1-0
Amber Rapid 2003 B81
Ljubojevic,L vs Shirov,A★
0-1
Amber Blindfold 2003 B33
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