Simplify the following text for a Grade 11 native English-speaking person.
Original: Emanuel Lasker ( December 24 , 1868 -- January 11 , 1941 ) was a German chess player , mathematician , and philosopher who was World Chess Champion for 27 years .
Simplified: Emanuel Lasker ( 24 December 1868 -- 11 January 1941 ) was a German chess player , mathematician , and philosopher who was World Chess Champion for 27 years .