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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, Alexei vs Spraggett, Kevin
1-0
Manila Interzonal 1990 D31
Shirov, Alexei vs Damljanovic, Branko
1/2-1/2
Manila Interzonal 1990 B38
Torre, Eugenio vs Shirov, Alexei
1/2-1/2
Manila Interzonal 1990 B50
Shirov, Alexei vs Khalifman, Alexander
1/2-1/2
Groningen 1990 B09
Khalifman, Alexander vs Shirov, Alexei
1/2-1/2
Lvov zt 1990 E98
Shirov, Alexei vs Spasov, Vasil
1/2-1/2
Manila Interzonal 1990 E99
Lautier, Joel vs Shirov, Alexei
0-1
Manila Interzonal 1990 E63
Shirov, Alexei vs Mascarinas, Rico
1/2-1/2
Manila Interzonal 1990 D17
Marin, Mihail vs Shirov, Alexei
1/2-1/2
Manila Interzonal 1990 D48
Shirov, Alexei vs Ivanovic, Bozidar
1-0
Manila Interzonal 1990 E97
Vaganian, Rafael A vs Shirov, Alexei
0-1
Manila Interzonal 1990 E97
Adams, Michael vs Shirov, Alexei
1/2-1/2
Groningen 1990 B66
Shirov, Alexei vs Anand, Viswanathan
1/2-1/2
GMA-Open 1989 D79
Shirov, Alexei vs Ivanchuk, Vassily
1-0
URS-chTJ 1989 E25
Petrosian, Arshak B vs Shirov, Alexei
1-0
URS-sf 1989 E73
Gelfand, Boris vs Shirov, Alexei
1/2-1/2
URS-FL56 1988 D47
Shirov, Alexei vs Kamsky, Gata
1/2-1/2
Borzhomi 1988 D87
Gelfand, Boris vs Shirov, Alexei
1-0
Riga op 1987 C78
Shirov, Alexei vs Kamsky, Gata
1-0
SochiJ-B 1986 C69
Granda Zuniga,J vs Shirov,A
1-0
Szmetan-Giardelli GM 2025 E06
Shirov,A vs Cheparinov,I
1-0
Szmetan-Giardelli GM 2025 B90
Mareco,S vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Szmetan-Giardelli GM 2025 E04
Shirov,A vs Slipak,S
1/2-1/2
Szmetan-Giardelli GM 2025 E08
Shirov,A vs Varela,Agustin
1-0
Szmetan-Giardelli Blitz 2025 B12
Schnaider,Ilan vs Shirov,A
0-1
Szmetan-Giardelli Blitz 2025 C11
Shirov,A vs Valerga,D
1-0
Szmetan-Giardelli Blitz 2025 C42
Shirov,A vs Silva,Luca
1-0
Szmetan-Giardelli Blitz 2025 B12
Flores,Di vs Shirov,A
1-0
Szmetan-Giardelli Blitz 2025 A07
Shirov,A vs Tari,A
1/2-1/2
Szmetan-Giardelli GM 2025 C67
Slipak,S vs Shirov,A
0-1
Szmetan-Giardelli Blitz 2025 C01
Della Morte,G vs Shirov,A
1-0
Szmetan-Giardelli Blitz 2025 C07
De Lima,Adriano Gaspar vs Shirov,A
0-1
Szmetan-Giardelli Blitz 2025 A06
Oro,Faustino vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
Szmetan-Giardelli GM 2025 C02
Shirov,A vs Darcyl,T
1-0
Szmetan-Giardelli GM 2025 B90
Schnaider,Ilan vs Shirov,A
0-1
Szmetan-Giardelli GM 2025 C11
Shirov,A vs Flores,Di
1/2-1/2
Szmetan-Giardelli GM 2025 B42
Shirov,A vs Unhold,Valentin
1-0
32nd ProAm Copa Clarin Op 2025 E11
Di Berardino,D vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
32nd ProAm Copa Clarin Op 2025 D40
Shirov,A vs Perez Ponsa,F
0-1
32nd ProAm Copa Clarin Op 2025 B90
Gomez,Car ARG vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
32nd ProAm Copa Clarin Op 2025 B22
Shirov,A vs Santiago,Y
1/2-1/2
32nd ProAm Copa Clarin Op 2025 C07
Hernandez Guerrero,G vs Shirov,A
0-1
32nd ProAm Copa Clarin Op 2025 B51
Shirov,A vs Slipak,S
1-0
32nd ProAm Copa Clarin Op 2025 E07
Llanos,G vs Shirov,A
0-1
32nd ProAm Copa Clarin Op 2025 A13
Shirov,A vs Ganza Svidler,Pedro
1-0
32nd ProAm Copa Clarin Op 2025 C42
Shirov,A vs Deac,Bogdan-Daniel
1/2-1/2
25th European Teams 2025 C92
Moroni,L vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
25th European Teams 2025 D33
Mchedlishvili,M vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
25th European Teams 2025 C84
Bogner,S vs Shirov,A
1/2-1/2
25th European Teams 2025 A07
Mina,Marco vs Shirov,A
0-1
Castling in the Castle 2025 C50
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