Raaphi Persitz

Raaphi Persitz was a multifaceted individual with expertise in chess, finance, and journalism. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, during the British Mandate of Palestine era, he went on to become a notable chess player. His chess career was marked by achievements such as winning the Israeli Junior Championship in 1951. Persitz's educational background includes studying at the prestigious Balliol College, Oxford, where he also represented the university in annual chess matches against Cambridge University on multiple occasions.

Persitz's chess prowess was evident in his victories, including a notable win against former British champion Conel Hugh O'Donel Alexander. In 1954, he demonstrated his exceptional skill by winning his individual game in the Oxford-Cambridge match and then proceeding to win another game for Oxfordshire against Gloucestershire on the same day. Throughout his life, Persitz balanced his passion for chess with his professional interests in finance, working as a financial analyst and journalist, and also writing about chess. He passed away in 2009, leaving behind a legacy as a chess master and a financial expert.