GM Lilienthal has been a dear friend of my family since I was about 4 years old. I recently asked him about his secret to a long life.
He gave me 2 answers: The first was taking alternate hot and cold showers. The second I cannot repeat publicly 🙂
Here is his brief biography:
Andor (Andre, Andrea) Arnoldovich Lilienthal (born May 5, 1911) is a Hungarian chess Grandmaster. In his long career, he played against ten world champions, beating Emanuel Lasker, José Raúl Capablanca, Alexander Alekhine, Max Euwe, Mikhail Botvinnik, and Vasily Smyslov. Lilienthal, who celebrated his 98th birthday on May 5, 2009, is still active, in good health, driving his car, and writing articles for chess magazines. As of 2009[update] he is the oldest living Grandmaster.
Lilienthal was born in Moscow to Hungarian Jewish parents and moved to Hungary at age two. He played for Hungary in three Chess Olympiads, 1933, 1935, and 1937. Emigrating to the Soviet Union in 1935, he became a Soviet citizen in 1939. Lilienthal played in the USSR Chess Championship eight times, with his best result being a first place tie with Igor Bondarevsky in 1940. He qualified for the Candidates Tournament once, in 1948.
From 1951 until 1960 he was Tigran Petrosian’s trainer. Lilienthal began a friendship with Vasily Smyslov in 1938, and was Smyslov’s second in his world championship matches against Botvinnik. He retired from tournament play in 1965 and returned to Hungary in 1976.
Source: Wikipedia
Special thanks to FM Allan Savage for sending us a reminder.
Fantastic!
“Lilienthal, who celebrated his 98th birthday on May 5, 2009, is still active, in good health, driving his car, and writing articles for chess magazines.”
LOL! And he would easily beat 30 patzers like me 30-0 in a simul!
Susan, please tell me in private his second answer. I am striving to live a happier and longer life.
Has chess helped him stay sharp?
At what level is he able to play at 98?
I’m curious, because if chess helps to stay sharp, it would be well worth wasting time on it!
“Susan, please tell me in private his second answer. I am striving to live a happier and longer life.”
Sex is the answer.
Lilienthal is Amazing !!!
he clearly retired much too early, perhaps as much as 40 years too early. He could have made Korchnoi look like a young spring chicken.
Interesting he was also friendly with Fischer during the 90’s
Congratulations GM Lil! I hope I look as good as you do at 98! 🙂