Frank Marshall

America's first great chess player. His championship challenge was a failure, but the Marshall Attack lives on as one of the most dangerous weapons in the Ruy Lopez, played at every level from club to World Championship.

The Swashbuckler

Frank James Marshall was born on August 10, 1877, in New York City. He was the first American player to compete at the highest level since Paul Morphy, and his swashbuckling, improvisational style made him one of the most popular players of his era. He won the U.S. Championship in 1909 and held it until 1936, an extraordinary reign of 27 years.

His 1907 World Championship challenge against Lasker was a disaster. Marshall's attacking style was unable to penetrate Lasker's psychological and positional defenses, and he lost 11.5-3.5. But his legacy was never about that match. The Marshall Attack, which he introduced in 1918 against Capablanca (who miraculously survived), remains one of the most dynamic and popular opening systems in chess. The Marshall Chess Club, which he founded in New York in 1915, continues to operate today as one of the most historic chess venues in the United States.