Efstratios Grivas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Efstratios Grivas |
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| Country |  Greece |
| Born | March 30, 1966 Egio, Greece |
| Title | Grandmaster (1993) |
| Peak rating | 2528 (January 1999) |
Efstratios Grivas (born March 30, 1966) is a famous Greek chess player. He holds many important titles in the chess world. These include Grandmaster, FIDE Senior Trainer, International Arbiter, and FIDE International Organizer. He is known for his skills both on the chessboard and in teaching others.
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Becoming a Chess Master
Efstratios Grivas was born in Egio, Achaia, Greece. When he was four, his family moved to Athens. He started playing chess at the Kallithea Chess Club in 1979. This was his first time learning about the game.
Just two years later, in 1981, he won the Greek Cadet Championship. This was a big win for a young player. He had great coaches who helped him learn and grow.
His Journey in Chess
Efstratios Grivas started playing chess a bit later than some. He was 13 when he first learned the game. He trained with several strong chess players and coaches. These included IM Dr. Nikolai Minev and GM Efim Geller. He even went to a special training camp in Moscow in 1984.
Grivas played for many chess clubs in Greece. He was part of the Kallithea Chess Club for a long time. Later, he played for clubs like OAA “Iraklion” and AO “Kydon” Khania.
Playing for Greece
From 1982 to 1999, Grivas proudly represented Greece. He played for his country 186 times! This included playing in eight Olympiads. The Chess Olympiad is a huge team chess tournament. He also played in three European Team Chess Championships. And he took part in twelve Balkaniads.
His biggest achievement was winning a Silver Medal. This was at the 33rd Chess Olympiad in 1998. He also won a Gold Medal at the European Team Championship in 1989. He placed 4th at the World Junior Chess Championship in 1985. He also won first place at a big tournament in Munich in 1987.
International Tournaments
Grivas has played in many international chess tournaments. He often finished in the top three. For example, he was 1st in Cap d'Agde in 1983. He also won in Hellexpo-Sportexpo in 2001. These wins show his strong playing skills.
You can find him online too! His usernames on the Internet Chess Club are "E-Grivas" and "Gref".
Chess Author and Writer
Besides playing, Efstratios Grivas is also a talented writer. He has worked as a journalist since 1982. He wrote for newspapers and magazines in both Greek and English.
From 1992 to 1999, he was the main editor of Greek Chess magazine. This was the monthly magazine for the Greek Chess Federation.
In 2010, he received the Boleslavsky Medal. This award is given to the best chess authors. It shows how much his writing is valued. His most recent books are part of "The Chess Instructor" series. These 18 books were published in 2024.
Chess Organizer and Leader
Efstratios Grivas has also helped organize chess events. He was a founding member of the Association of Top Greek Chessplayers in 1995. He has been a leader in this group ever since.
He also worked for the Greek Chess Federation. He was a Technical Advisor from 1996 to 1999. He holds the title of FIDE International Organizer. This means he can help plan and run big chess events. For example, he helped organize the 1999 European Youth Chess Championships. Over 1000 young players took part! He is also a International Arbiter. This means he can be a judge in chess games.
A Dedicated Chess Trainer
Grivas has spent over 12,000 hours coaching chess players. He especially enjoys working with younger players. From 1986 to 1991, he was the coach for the National Juniors Team.
He has also coached at many chess clubs. These include Pnevmatiki Stegi Peristeriou Chess Club. He also taught chess at the Institute of Professional Education. In 2004, he received the title of FIDE Senior Trainer. This is a high honor for chess coaches.
Notable Games
Here are some of Efstratios Grivas's famous chess games:
- Efstratios Grivas vs Nigel Short, Ol. 1986, Queen's Gambit Declined: Tartakower Defense (D58), 1-0
- Efstratios Grivas vs Vladimir Tukmakov, Kavala op 1991, Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation (E17), 1-0
- Efstratios Grivas vs Zhaoqin Peng, Corus (Group C) 2008, Zukertort Opening: Queen Pawn Defense (A06), 1-0
- Efstratios Grivas vs Arik Braun, Corus (Group C) 2008, Slav Defense: Breyer Variation (D11), 1-0
Books by Efstratios Grivas
Efstratios Grivas has written many books about chess. They help players learn new strategies and improve their game.
- A Complete Guide to the Grivas Sicilian (2005, Gambit Publications; ISBN: 978-1-904600-36-7)
- Beating the Fianchetto Defences (2006, Gambit; ISBN: 978-1-904600-48-0)
- Chess College 1: Strategy (2006, Gambit; ISBN: 978-1-904600-45-9)
- Chess College 2: Pawn Play (2006, Gambit; ISBN: 978-1-904600-47-3)
- Chess College 3: Technique (2006, Gambit; ISBN: 978-1-904600-57-2)
- Modern Chess Planning (2007, Gambit; ISBN: 978-1-904600-68-8)
- Practical Endgame Play - mastering the basics (2008, Everyman Chess; ISBN: 978-1-85744-556-5)
- The Chess Instructor – The Isolated Pawn by E. Grivas (2024, Chess-shop.gr, ISBN: 9786188710719)
- The Chess Instructor – Majority & Minority by E. Grivas (2024, Chess-shop.gr, ISBN: 9786188710726)
- Ispaniki Partida (in Greek, 1987, Kaissa Chess Center)
- SOS - Secrets of Opening Surprises 13 (2011, Interchess BV (New In Chess; ISBN: 978-90-5691-341-0)
- Grivas Opening Laboratory - Volume 1 (2019, Chess Evolution Kft; ISBN: 978-615-5793-19-6)
- Grivas Opening Laboratory - Volume 2 (2020, Chess Evolution; ISBN: 978-615-5793-22-6)
- Grivas Opening Laboratory - Volume 3 (2020, Chess Evolution; ISBN: 978-615-5793-24-0)
- Grivas Opening Laboratory - Volume 4 (2020, Chess Evolution; ISBN: 978-615-5793-25-7)
- Grivas Opening Laboratory - Volume 5 (2020, Chess Evolution; ISBN: 978-615-5793-26-4)
- Grivas Opening Laboratory - Volume 6 (2021, Chess Evolution; ISBN: 978-615-5793-28-8)
- Grivas Opening Laboratory - Volume 7 (2021, Chess Evolution; ISBN: 978-615-5793-30-1)
- The Modernized Grivas Sicilian (2022, Thinkers Publishing; ISBN: 978-94-6420-139-0)
- The Grivas Anti-Sicilian Bible (2022, Thinkers; ISBN: 978-94-6420-161-1)
