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Jacques Mieses

Photos of Jacques Mieses

Three portraits from three stages of life show Jacques Mieses on his journey from young master to Grand Old Man of chess. The photographs span more than half a century – a time when the world changed fundamentally, but Mieses remained forever faithful to the game of chess.

Jacques Mieses as a young chess master, ca. 1890-1895
The Rising Master
ca. 1890–1895

A confident gaze, a well-groomed mustache – this is how Mieses presented himself in his twenties, when he had already won the Berlin championship and was preparing to conquer the international chess stage. These years marked his rise to the world elite.

Age: ca. 25–30 years
Sepia photography
Jacques Mieses as an established Grandmaster, ca. 1905-1915
The Established Grandmaster
ca. 1905–1915

During this phase of his life, Mieses was at the peak of his creative powers. In 1907 he won the Trebitsch Memorial in Vienna and counted among the world's top ten players with an Elo rating of 2595. At the same time, he established himself as a sought-after chess author and journalist.

Age: ca. 40–50 years
Sepia photography
Jacques Mieses in old age as the Nestor of chess, ca. 1945-1950
The Nestor of Chess
ca. 1945–1950

Still at the board at over 80 years old – and still dangerous! After his emigration to England in 1938, Mieses continued playing undaunted. In 1946 he won the brilliancy prize in Hastings at age 80, and in 1950 became one of the first FIDE Grandmasters in history.

Age: ca. 80–85 years
Black and white photography
Contemporary Descriptions

"Mieses is one of the most brilliant players of our time. When he is allowed to reach the kind of position where imagination and courage are required, he is unstoppable."

Contemporary comment, ca. 1907
Did You Know?

Mieses remained remarkably fit into old age. At 86, he still went swimming daily and did push-ups in Hyde Park. His secret? Daily exercises and an unshakeable passion for chess. When he finished third in Stockholm in 1948 at age 83 and beat 84-year-old van Foreest, he commented dryly: "Youth has triumphed!"