Vitold Vitoldovich Yakimchik (Russia, * 1909 or 1911?-  † 1977)

International Master in chess composing

"A MAGICIAN OF THE STUDY".

Yakimchik belonged to the great galaxy of Soviet composers of the older generation.

He achieved general recognition comparatively late, only in the 1950s when his job (Yakimchik was an outstanding metallurgical engineer) allowed him to devote more time to composition.

His endgame studies

In the years after the war he published over 100 studies, out of a total of about 130.

His highly original ideas and refined techniques brought him many victories in big tourneys, including gold, silver and bronze medals in USSR Championships, alongside such stars as Kasparyan, Korolkov, Bron, Kazantsev, Gorgiev and others.

Yakimchik was a strong over-theboard player and finished high up in Kazakhstan Championships.

His high analytical talent and exceptional tenacity allowed him to uncover all the possibilities in a position, approximating the study as much as possible to practical play."

More information can be found in EG 60.

He was International Judge of the FIDE for chess compositions since 1967.

Since 2016 posthum he was an International Master.

On Website ARVES (editor Peter Boll) 40 endgame studies composed by him are, selected by Peter Krug and can be replayed.

Source: Website arves.org by editor Peter Boll