Boleslavsky Isaak Efremovich (09.06.1919 – 15.12.1977)

Soviet Grandmaster (1950) born in Ukraine. Honored Coach of USSR 1964, coach of the Soviet team  between 1958-70 , second of David Bronstein in 1951 and of Tigran Petrosian between 1959 and 1969. Also an analyst and chess writer, particularly in opening theory where he contributed at the development in few lines of the Sicilian defence and the King’s Indian.

Best results: Interzonal 1948, 3rd; Debrecen 1961, 1-2nd, Stockholm 1964, 2nd.
Boleslavsky was Champion of Ukraine in 1938, 1939 and 1940, Champion of Russia (Republic), Champion of Byelorussia 1952 and 1964.
A participant in the Candidates’ Matches in 1950-1-2nd place ( but lost the playoff to Bronstein (+3−2=9)) and in 1953, 10-11th.

A participant in radio matches against the USA in 1945 and Great Britain in 1946, also in matches against Argentina, Hungary, and Yugoslavia . A member of the national team which won the 1952 Olympiad (he scored 7/8) and the European Team Championships in 1957 and 1965.

He died in Minsk on February 15, 1977, at the age of 57, after falling on an icy sidewalk, breaking his hip and contracting a fatal infection in the hospital.