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Yakov Estrin
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Yakov Estrin
Full name Yakov Borisovich Estrin
Country Russia
Born (1923-04-21)April 21, 1923
Moscow, Russia
Died February 2, 1987(1987-02-02) (aged 63)
Moscow, Russia
Title International Master (1975)
ICCF Grandmaster (1966)
ICCF World Champion 1972–1976

Yakov Borisovich Estrin (born April 21, 1923, died February 2, 1987) was a talented chess player from Russia. He became an International Master and a world champion in correspondence chess. Yakov Estrin was also known for his ideas about chess and for writing many books on the game.

Yakov Estrin's Chess Journey

Yakov Estrin first played chess in person, which is called over-the-board play. But in the early 1960s, he started playing correspondence chess. This is where players send their moves to each other, often by mail or email. He quickly became very good at it!

Becoming a Correspondence Chess Champion

In 1962, Yakov Estrin shared first place in the USSR Correspondence Championship. This was a big win for him. By 1966, he earned the title of International Correspondence Chess Grandmaster. This is one of the highest titles in correspondence chess.

He competed in the final rounds of the World Correspondence Chess Championship five times. His biggest achievement was becoming the seventh ICCF World Champion. He held this title from 1972 to 1976.

International Master Title

Even though he focused on correspondence chess, Yakov Estrin also played well in over-the-board games. He was awarded the International Master title in 1975. This shows he was a strong player in both types of chess.

Chess Theorist and Writer

Yakov Estrin was not just a player; he was also a chess theoretician. This means he studied and wrote about chess strategies and openings. He was especially known for his deep knowledge of the Two Knights Defense. This is a specific way to start a chess game.

One of his most famous games was against Hans Berliner. In this game, Berliner used the Two Knights Defense and won against Estrin. This game is still talked about as one of the most important in correspondence chess history.

Books by Yakov Estrin

Yakov Estrin wrote several books about chess. These books helped other players learn more about the game. He wrote about different chess openings and strategies.

  • The Two Knights' Defence (1983)
  • Three Double King Pawn Openings (1982)
  • Gambits (1983)
  • The United States Correspondence Chess Championship (1978)
  • Wilkes-Barre Variation, Two Knights Defense (1978)
  • Comprehensive Chess Openings (1980), which he wrote with Vasily Panov.
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