Savielly Tartakower

Ksawery Tartakower (also known as Saviely or Savielly Tartakower in English, less often Xavier Tartacover or Xavier Tartakover; 1887–1956) was a leading Polish and French chess grandmaster. He was also a leading chess journalist and author of the 1920s and 30s whose books remain popular even today. Tartakower is remembered for his sharp wit and aphorisms.

Early career

Tartakower was born on 22 February 1887 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia to Austrian citizens of Jewish origin. His parents were killed in a pogrom in Rostov-on-Don in 1911 in spite of having adopted Christianity some time earlier. Tartakower stayed mainly in Austria. He graduated from the law faculties of universities in Geneva and Vienna. He spoke both German and French perfectly. During his studies he became interested in chess and started attending chess meetings in various cafés for chess players in Vienna. He met many notable masters of the time, among them Carl Schlechter, Géza Maróczy (against whom he later won what was probably his most famous brilliancy), Milan Vidmar, and Richard Réti. His first achievement was first place in a tournament in Nuremberg in 1906. Three years later he achieved second place in the tournament in Vienna, losing only to Réti.