Juan Manuel Bellón López facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juan Manuel Bellón López
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Bellón López in 2009
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| Born | 8 May 1950 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | Anna Cramling Bellón |
| Chess career | |
| Country | Spain (until 2017) Sweden (since 2017) |
| Title | Grandmaster (1978) |
| FIDE rating | 2281 (December 2024) |
| Peak rating | 2510 (July 1991) |
Juan Manuel Bellón López, born on May 8, 1950, is a famous Spanish chess player. He holds the top chess title of Grandmaster. He won the Spanish Chess Championship five times (in 1969, 1971, 1974, 1977, and 1982). He also won a silver medal at the Chess Olympiad in 1978 and a bronze medal at the European Team Chess Championship in 1989.
Contents
Juan Manuel Bellón López's Chess Journey
Early Life and National Wins
Juan Manuel Bellón López was one of Spain's best chess players for many years. This was from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. He showed his skill by winning the Spanish Chess Championship five times. These wins happened in 1969, 1971, 1974, 1977, and 1982.
International Tournament Success
Bellón López played in many international chess tournaments. He often finished in first place or shared first place. Some of his notable wins include tournaments in:
- Torremolinos (1978)
- Stockholm Rilton Cup (1986/87)
- Barcelona (1988)
- Terrassa (1990)
- Castell-Platja d'Aro (1994)
- Santa Clara (1999)
- Varadero (2000)
Representing Spain at Olympiads
Juan Manuel Bellón López played for Spain in many Chess Olympiads. These are big team chess tournaments where countries compete. He played in 11 Olympiads, showing his long-term dedication.
- In 1978, at the 23rd Chess Olympiad in Buenos Aires, he won an individual silver medal. This was a great achievement for him.
European Team Championships
He also represented Spain in the European Team Chess Championships.
- In 1989, at the 9th European Team Chess Championship in Haifa, he won an individual bronze medal.
Clare Benedict Chess Cup
Bellón López also played in the Clare Benedict Chess Cup three times.
- In 1970, his team won a gold medal in this competition.
Chess Titles and Contributions
In 1974, Juan Manuel Bellón López earned the title of International Master (IM). Four years later, in 1978, he received the highest chess title: Grandmaster (GM). He is also a Developmental Instructor for FIDE, which means he helps teach and develop chess players.
He is famous for inventing a chess opening called the Bellon Gambit in 1969. Many players still use this opening today. One of his favorite chess players was Mikhail Tal, a former world champion. Bellón López admired Tal's creative and aggressive playing style. In 1984, Juan finally beat Mikhail Tal in a memorable game.
Personal Life
Juan Manuel Bellón López is married to Pia Cramling, who is also a chess Grandmaster from Sweden. Their daughter, Anna Cramling Bellón, was born in 2002. She also plays chess and has a popular chess channel on YouTube.
See also
In Spanish: Juan Manuel Bellón López para niños
