Hermanis Matisons facts for kids

Hermanis Matisons (1894–1932) was a famous Latvian chess player. He was known as one of the best chess masters in the world during the early 1930s. Matisons was also very good at creating special chess puzzles called endgame studies. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 38 from tuberculosis.

Hermanis Matisons: A Chess Star

Hermanis Matisons was born in Riga, which is now the capital of Latvia. He quickly became a top player in the chess world. His skills were recognized by many, and he was considered a true chess master.

Early Chess Victories

In 1924, Matisons showed his talent by winning the very first Latvian Chess Championship. This was a big achievement for him. Later that same year, he won another important event. He finished first in the first World Amateur Chess Championship. This championship was held alongside the Olympic Games in Paris. He beat strong players like Fricis Apšenieks and Edgard Colle. He also finished ahead of Max Euwe, who later became a World Champion himself.

Playing for Latvia

Hermanis Matisons continued to play at a very high level. In 1931, he represented Latvia at the 1931 Chess Olympiad in Prague. This was a major international team chess tournament. Playing on the top board for his country, Matisons achieved some incredible wins. He defeated two of the greatest players of his time: Akiba Rubinstein and Alexander Alekhine. At that time, Alekhine was the reigning World Champion. Beating the World Champion was a huge accomplishment!

His Legacy in Chess

Hermanis Matisons was not only a strong player but also a brilliant composer of chess puzzles. These puzzles, called endgame studies, are like artistic problems where you have to find the best moves to win or draw from a specific position. Sixty of his amazing endgame studies were put together in a book. This book, called Mattison's Chess Endgame Studies, was published in 1987. It helps chess fans still learn from his clever ideas today.