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Eduard GufeldAmerican, formerly Soviet, chess player, grandmaster
Date of Birth: 19.03.1936
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Background
- Chess Career
- Military Service and Education:
- Grandmaster Status and Coaching:
- Tournament Results:
- Playing Style and Contributions:
- Chess Literature:
- Later Life and Honors
- Recognition and Awards:
Early Life and Background
Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Lev Gutmanovich Gutman (later known as Lev Gutmanovich Polugaevsky) was evacuated to Samarkand with his mother during the first days of World War II. His father perished on the front lines in 1941. Returning to Kiev in 1946, Polugaevsky initially pursued football before becoming introduced to chess by his cousin. At the age of eleven, he joined the city chess club "Spartak."
Chess Career
Youth and Early Success:By fourteen, Polugaevsky enrolled in the chess section of the Kiev Palace of Pioneers. In 1957, he triumphed as the Ukrainian youth champion at seventeen.
Military Service and Education:
Polugaevsky served in the army for a period, studying at the pedagogical institute in Cherkassy. During his time as a student, he represented the socialist-country chess team against the "Rest of the World" team at the Helsinki Student Olympiad in 1961.
Grandmaster Status and Coaching:
After being awarded the prestigious Grandmaster title in 1967, Polugaevsky became the highly respected coach of Maia Chiburdanidze and Georgia's women's national team. He also served as the coach of the USSR women's national team at the 1982 and 1984 World Chess Olympiads.
Tournament Results:
Polugaevsky participated in eight USSR championships and achieved his best result in 1963, sharing 7-8th place. He also contributed to the USSR team's triumphs at the 1961 and 1962 World Student Chess Championships. In international tournaments, he achieved notable successes in Moscow (1964), Baku (1964 and 1980), Leningrad (1967), Kesckemét (1968), Tbilisi (1969/1970, 1974, 1980, and 1983), and Havana (1984 and 1985).
Playing Style and Contributions:
Known for his flamboyant combinatorial style, Polugaevsky prioritized beauty over sporting results. Several of his games, such as Bagirov-Polugaevsky (Kirovabad, 1963), have become renowned for their aesthetic brilliance. He also made significant contributions to the development of chess openings, particularly the Sicilian (Dragon variation) and the Old Indian Defense.
Chess Literature:
Polugaevsky authored or co-authored numerous chess books, though their quality and tournament validity varied.
Later Life and Honors
Personality and Impact:Polugaevsky's charismatic and passionate personality made him a captivating presence at chess events.
Recognition and Awards:
For his achievements in chess, Polugaevsky was bestowed the Medal "For Labor Distinction" in 1985.
