Alexei Shirov

Alexei Shirov is one of the most exciting and creative players of his generation – a grandmaster whose games have inspired chess fans around the world for more than three decades.

At his peak, Shirov was ranked world number two, and in 1998 he defeated Vladimir Kramnik in a match to earn the right to challenge Garry Kasparov for the Classical World Championship – a match that, unfortunately, never took place.

Shirov has represented Spain in numerous Olympiads and built a career defined not just by results, but by style. Known for his fearless attacking play and willingness to sacrifice material, he has often been compared to the legendary Mikhail Tal – creating games that are as entertaining as they are instructive.

At ChessParty, Shirov will host an exclusive masterclass open to festival participants, a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the game’s true artists – gaining insight into his creative thought process and how he approaches complex positions.

His iconic book Fire on the Board remains a classic, widely regarded as one of the most entertaining and instructive chess books ever written.

Whether you’re looking to improve your own play or simply experience chess at its most imaginative, this is a session you don’t want to miss.