Chess history is replete with legends whose names echo through time, like Fischer, Kasparov, and Carlsen. Yet, there are also lesser-known masters in the game, each contributing uniquely to the chess world. Among these unsung heroes are Dragoljub Velimirovic, Boris Verlinsky, and Vsevolod Rauzer. Let’s get to know them a bit better!
Dragoljub Velimirovic
Dragoljub “Drasko” Velimirovic, born in Yugoslavia in 1942, was known for his fearless, attacking style. His games were filled with imaginative sacrifices and complex tactical sequences, capturing the essence of chess as an art form. Velimirovic’s contributions to opening theory, particularly in the Sicilian Defense, remain influential.
The line Sicilian, Velimirovic Attack goes as follows:
This line becomes super sharp, with a lot of theory developed. This suited Drasko’s style, and he went on to win many brilliant games with it.
Author Georg Mohr calls Drasko “A hero who in one way or another shaped the chess career and destiny of all chess players who grew up in the spaces of former Yugoslavia”. He won medals at various tournaments – the European Team Championships, the World Team Championship, and even the World Chess Olympiad. However, Drasko could never propel himself to the elite level and never qualified for the Candidates.
The book “The Life and Games of Grandmaster Dragoljub Velimirovic: Volume 1” written by Mohr and Velimirovic’s daughter, Ana, sheds light on the forgotten genius – all the obstacles he faced, but more so the contributions he made to chess. His adventurous spirit on the board continues to inspire players seeking to embrace the game’s creative and combative aspects. Take this position, for example:
Here the reasonable 13.a3 or 13.f3 is White’s best option, but true to Drasko’s style, he played 13.Bxe6!?. Now does this sacrifice work? Probably not (according to the engine), but Drasko’s opponent, Bruno Parma, was not a computer, and could not defend the craziness in the position. You can view the full game in the book’s free sample!
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