Boris Verlinsky

But in this event, Verlinsky scored many beautiful wins over strong players, with perhaps the most impressive being his victory over World Champion José Raúl Capablanca with the Black pieces in a dazzling tactical display.

[1] In 1929, Boris Verlinsky won the 6th Soviet Championship in Odessa, at the time earning the title of grandmaster.

In November 1931, he tied for 3rd-6th in Moscow (7th USSR Championship), with a solid score of 10/17 – Botvinnik won.

[4] Verlinsky was less active at chess in his later life, but could still provide a competitive test for strong masters.

After many years away from top competition, he attempted to qualify for the Soviet Championship final in 1945, at age 57, but could only manage 4.5/15 in the semi-final, and did not advance.

Verlinsky was awarded the International Master title by FIDE in 1950, the same year he died at age 62 in Moscow.

At his peak, he won against Alexander Alekhine, José Raúl Capablanca, Efim Bogolyubov, Grigory Levenfish, Akiba Rubinstein, Rudolf Spielmann, and David Bronstein, among others.

Just like majority of other Russian/Soviet masters - Verlinsky never got a chance to compete outside the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union.