Austrian chess player Ernst Grünfeld was born on 21 November 1893 in Josefstadt. His childhood was spent in poverty and due to an accident his left leg had to be amputated when he was five. However he discovered chess and with religious training he soon gained a reputation as a talented chess player at the local Vienna Chess club. His peak World Ranking was 4th (in 7 different months between July 1924 and February 1925). According to Chessmetrics his highest rating is 2715. He was one of the best ten chess players of the world from 1921 and 1925.

He never won World Champion title and did not play World Championship matches.

He represented Austria in four Chess Olympiads between 1927 and 1935. He placed 7th in team and 5th individually in 1927. In 1931 his team placed 8th and he was 7th. In 1933 he placed 6th both in team and individually. In 1935 his team placed 7th and Grünfeld placed 11th individually.

Interesting facts:

The Grünfeld Defence was named after him. He started publishing in European Chess magazines before he was even 20 years old.

He died on 3 April 1962 at the age of 68.