Gioachino Greco

← Previous | Timeline | Next →

Gioachino Greco is considered the first modern chess author and one of the earliest recorded masters in chess history. Writing in the early 17th century, he composed a large collection of complete games and tactical patterns, leaving an indelible mark on how chess would be taught and played for centuries. His manuscripts, which circulated across Europe after his death, became the cornerstone of early chess literature.

Gioachino Greco, Italy, Book

📷 Book by Gioachino Greco (1656)
Wikimedia Commons: Gioachino Greco (License: Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Born: c. 1600, Calabria, Italy
Died: c. 1634, presumed in the West Indies

Gioachino Greco was a trailblazer in the history of chess. Though predating formal championship systems, he rose to legendary status through his travels and writings. He is best remembered for his methodical documentation of full chess games, something rare at the time. Greco’s style was highly tactical, filled with sacrifices, attacks on f7, and smothered mates. His examples served not only as brilliancies but also as teaching models. He played in major cities such as Rome, Paris, London, and Madrid, reportedly defeating top players wherever he went.

Greco’s games often included what would later be known as standard motifs: traps, forks, and mating nets. His writings laid the groundwork for positional understanding before the emergence of players like Philidor. Though much of his biography is uncertain, he is said to have died young while traveling in the West Indies. Before his death, he bequeathed his chess-related earnings to the Jesuit order, suggesting a deep personal and cultural connection to the Catholic Church.

Greco never held a title in a formal sense, but his pioneering role in chess education and combination play secured his place as one of the most influential chess figures of the pre-modern era.

«I have gathered this knowledge of chess to showcase my skills so that others may learn and improve.» – Gioachino Greco

Match Overview

🗓️ Match Dates: Not applicable (pre-FIDE era)
📍 Location: Italy, France, England, Spain, West Indies
✅ Format: Informal exhibition and manuscript-based legacy
⏱️ Time Control: Not standardized
💰 Prize Fund: Private stakes, gifts, travel earnings
📄 Main Sponsors: Not applicable

Historical and Cultural Context

Greco lived during the early 17th century, a period when chess was transitioning from a noble pastime to a more organized intellectual pursuit. The Catholic Church, especially through Jesuit education, played a role in preserving and disseminating Greco’s manuscripts. His games became widely distributed posthumously in France and England, and helped shape chess culture for over a century. Greco’s structured presentation of games prefigured the systematic manuals of the Enlightenment era.

Gioachino Greco Games

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

Game 11

Game 12

Game 13

Game 14

Game 15

Game 16

Game 17

Game 18

Game 19

Game 20

Gioachino Greco

Gioachino Greco, Italy

← Previous | Timeline | Next →

Gioachino Greco Sources

Quote Sources

General Sources

Photo Credits

📷 Book by Gioachino Greco (1656)
Wikimedia Commons: Gioachino Greco (License: Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Sources, image credits, and attributions for this championship are listed on this page. For general information about the World Chess Champions timeline, visit the main page.