Svetozar Gligorić – "Mr. King's Indian"

Svetozar Gligorić (1923–2012) was a Serbian Grandmaster and a national hero in Yugoslavia. He was one of the world's top players for three decades and a candidate for the World Championship three times.

He is arguably the most important theoretician of the King's Indian Defense. He proved that Black could survive White's queenside attacks and deliver checkmate on the kingside (the Mar del Plata strategy).

Gligorić and Bobby Fischer were close friends. Their 1961 game at Bled is considered one of the greatest draws in history, and Gligorić helped organize Fischer's 1992 return match.

Yes! Late in life, he learned music theory and released a studio album at age 88, proving his belief that one should always keep learning.

He holds the record for winning the Yugoslav Championship 12 times between 1947 and 1971, dominating a nation that was the second strongest chess power (after the USSR).

His handling of the King's Indian Defense with Black against the world's best is considered the "gold standard" for dynamic play.

He qualified for the World Championship Candidates cycle in 1953, 1959, and 1968, cementing his place among the world elite.

He led the Yugoslav team to a historic Gold Medal at the 1950 Dubrovnik Olympiad. In total, he won 13 Olympiad medals.

In 1992, he played a private training match with Bobby Fischer to help the American prepare for his return against Spassky.

Before his chess career took off, he was a partisan fighter in WWII, earning medals for bravery. He famously carried a pocket chess set during the war.

He won the famous Hastings Premier tournament five times, a record that stood for many years.

He invented a flexible system in the Ruy Lopez (6...h6!? and ...0-0) which remains a popular and solid choice today.

He worked as a professional journalist for the newspaper *Borba* and *Radio Belgrade* for decades, covering chess events worldwide.

His draw against Fischer at Bled 1961 is often cited as one of the most exciting games ever played, featuring attacks on both wings.

He held a positive or equal score against several World Champions at their peak, including Botvinnik, Euwe, and Smyslov.

Respected for his fairness, he served as the Chief Arbiter for the famously chaotic 1984 World Championship match between Kasparov and Karpov.

In 1958, he was voted the Best Athlete of Yugoslavia, showing how popular chess was in the country.

At age 80, he started learning music composition. He released a CD featuring jazz, blues, and rap (!) elements shortly before his death.

There is also a variation for *White* in the King's Indian named after him (7.Be3), showing his deep understanding of the opening from both sides.

The title of his autobiography/best games collection, reflecting his philosophy of playing the board rather than the opponent's psychology.

He remained active in competitive chess well into his 80s, maintaining a high standard of play.

While famous for the KID, his style was classically universal—he could defend like Petrosian or attack like Tal depending on the position.

His victory against Najdorf at Mar del Plata 1953 established the main line theory of the King's Indian Defense.

His funeral in Belgrade was attended by dignitaries and chess legends, marking the end of an era for Serbian chess.