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Monument to Mikhail Tal

A tribute to the 'Magician of Riga,' World Chess Champion Mikhail Tal, in the heart of Riga's Central District. A must-see for chess enthusiasts.

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A tribute to the chess genius Mikhail Tal, this monument in Riga's Central District features a bronze bust atop granite boulders, marking the legacy of the World Chess Champion and Riga native.

A brief summary to Piemineklis Mihailam Tālam

  • Tērbatas iela 2C, Riga, Central District, 1050, LV

Local tips

  • Visit during daylight hours to best appreciate the details of the sculpture and the surrounding Vermanes Garden.
  • Combine your visit with a stroll through Vermanes Garden, one of Riga's oldest and most beautiful parks.
  • Check local chess clubs or organizations for events or tournaments that may be held in honor of Mikhail Tal.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Freedom Monument (Brīvības piemineklis), walk east along Brivibas bulvaris. Turn right onto Terbatas iela. The Mikhail Tal Monument will be on your left, inside Vermanes Garden. The walk is approximately 5-10 minutes. There are no costs associated with walking.

  • Public Transport

    From Riga Central Station, take tram number 11 towards Mežaparks. Get off at the 'Brivibas bulvaris' stop. Walk east along Brivibas bulvaris, then turn right onto Terbatas iela. The monument will be on your left, inside Vermanes Garden. A single 90-minute e-ticket costs €1.50. Tickets can be purchased in advance at kiosks, shopping centers, or ticket vending machines.

  • Taxi

    From the Old Town, a taxi to the Mikhail Tal Monument will take approximately 5-10 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxi fares in Riga generally start at €2.50, with a per kilometer price of around €0.70. A 5km ride would cost approximately €6. Ride-sharing apps like Bolt are also available.

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Discover more about Piemineklis Mihailam Tālam

The Monument to Mikhail Tal, located in Riga's Centra Rajons, stands as a tribute to one of the greatest chess players of all time. Mikhail Tal, born in Riga in 1936, was the eighth World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1960 to 1961. Known as the 'Magician from Riga' for his daring and unpredictable playing style, Tal is celebrated for his creative genius and attacking prowess. The monument itself features a bronze bust of Tal set upon a column of rough-hewn granite boulders. This striking design, created by sculptor Oļegs Skarainis and architects Guntis Sakne and Liene Šterna, was unveiled in 2001. The monument is located in Vermanes Garden, a place where Tal himself played chess as a child. The contrast between the dark and light granite is meant to evoke the alternating squares of a chessboard, symbolizing Tal's profound impact on the game. An inscription on the monument reads, 'To the World Chess Champion 1960-1961, from grateful Riga citizens Haims Kogans, Viktors Krasovickis. Sculptor Oļegs Skarainis. August 10, 2001'. Visiting this monument offers a chance to reflect on Tal's contributions to chess and his enduring connection to the city of Riga. Vermanes Garden, where the monument is situated, was a popular meeting place for chess enthusiasts in the 1950s-80s. The placement of the monument was intended to honor the World Champion and symbolically mark Riga on the world map as a chess metropolis.

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