Quais HOMENS tiveram os MAIORES QI da HISTÓRIA?!

Summary

This video discusses the fascinating journey of Brazilian chess prodigy Mequinho (Gilberto Milos), who was regarded as one of the greatest talents in the history of chess. The script explores Mequinho’s exceptional skill, his rise in the chess world, and the factors that prevented him from reaching his full potential, such as his early illness and staying in Brazil. The conversation touches on comparisons with other legends like Karpov, Fischer, and Capablanca, highlighting the intense dedication and team dynamics in chess. Insights into the personal struggles and triumphs of top players make this a compelling discussion on chess greatness.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mequinho (Henrique Mecking) is considered the greatest chess genius Brazil has ever produced, with exceptional talent that put him in the global chess elite despite health setbacks.
• 😀 Mequinho's rise in chess was remarkable, reaching a high rank of 7th globally in 2000 after battling serious health issues, but his full potential was never realized due to illness.
• 😀 Mequinho was capable of competing with the best, including players like Karpov, and could have been a world champion if he hadn't suffered from his early health problems.
• 😀 The Soviet Union, particularly during the Cold War, had a major influence on the development of chess, making it difficult for players like Mequinho to access the same resources as those from the USSR.
• 😀 In comparison to other chess greats, Mequinho’s career was hindered by being based in Brazil, whereas players like Karpov and Fischer had greater international exposure.
• 😀 The role of a second's support in chess is critical, and Mequinho’s reliance on helpers like Herbert Carvalho and Dirk Van Hames was notable, though they did not match the level of support Karpov had.
• 😀 Despite being a genius, Mequinho had doubts about the analyses provided by his second and often reviewed them himself, which caused him unnecessary stress and affected his performance.
• 😀 The documentary on Fischer highlights his view of Morphy as the greatest player, with Fischer changing his perspective over time as he gained more experience and maturity in chess.
• 😀 Capablanca, while immensely talented, is criticized by players like Kasparov for his lack of preparation and discipline, which could have hindered his potential even further.
• 😀 The nature of the chess world in the past, especially with legends like Karpov and Capablanca, was often marked by personal quirks and anecdotes, such as Capablanca’s laid-back approach to studying and his infamous late arrival for a game against Vidmar.

Q & A

Why does the speaker compare Mikhail Tal to Isaac Newton?

The speaker compares Mikhail Tal to Isaac Newton to emphasize Tal's extraordinary genius in chess, much like Newton's groundbreaking contributions to science. They argue that Tal’s talent was exceptional, even surpassing other chess legends like Einstein.

What made Mikhail Tal such a remarkable chess player?

Mikhail Tal was known for his extraordinary creativity and intuition in chess. His aggressive and unpredictable style made him a formidable opponent. Despite health issues that limited his career, he achieved impressive results, including winning major tournaments and ranking among the top players in the world.

What would have happened if Mikhail Tal had not fallen ill?

Had Mikhail Tal not suffered from severe health problems, it is believed he would have likely become the World Chess Champion. His remarkable talent and performances suggest that, without these health setbacks, he could have been at the pinnacle of the chess world.

Why was Mikhail Tal's access to the Soviet chess scene important?

The Soviet Union was a chess powerhouse, and players from there had significant advantages in terms of training and competition. Mikhail Tal’s time in Brazil, away from this competitive environment, limited his exposure to top-level Soviet players, which may have affected his career opportunities.

What role did Mikhail Tal’s assistants play during his chess matches?

Mikhail Tal’s assistants, such as Herbert Carvalho and Dirk Van Hames, were responsible for helping him analyze games. However, Tal had a tendency not to trust their analysis, leading him to spend excessive time reviewing games on his own, which sometimes impacted his preparation.

What is the controversy involving Mikhail Tal and his trust in his assistants?

There was a controversy regarding Mikhail Tal’s lack of trust in the analysis provided by his assistants. Despite their significant efforts to help him, Tal would often second-guess their work, analyzing the games independently. This created tension, as his assistants felt their efforts were not fully appreciated.

How did Mikhail Tal view the idea of cheating or sabotaging opponents?

Mikhail Tal is said to have asked one of his assistants if he could sabotage his opponent, Viktor Korchnoi, by spiking his drink. This behavior, which the assistant reported, paints Tal as an eccentric character with unorthodox views on competition, despite his immense talent.

What did Bobby Fischer think about the greatest chess player of all time?

Bobby Fischer initially believed that Paul Morphy was the greatest chess player of all time, a view he held throughout his career. Fischer later revised his opinion and also considered other legendary players, but he consistently maintained Morphy as his top choice.

Why did Garry Kasparov criticize José Raúl Capablanca?

Garry Kasparov criticized Capablanca for being overly talented but lacking dedication to studying the game. Kasparov argued that Capablanca’s talent alone wasn’t enough and that his lack of work ethic, such as not studying chess openings and endgames in depth, hindered his potential.

What is the significance of the incident involving Capablanca and Vidmar?

The incident with Capablanca and Vidmar is notable because Vidmar, a fellow player, showed sportsmanship by offering a draw after Capablanca lost on time. This rare gesture in competitive chess reflects Vidmar’s respect for Capablanca’s abilities, as he believed Capablanca would have won had the game continued.