Robert James “Bobby” Fischer (born March 9, 1943) is a United States-born Icelandic chess International Grandmaster and in 1972 became the only US-born chessplayer ever to win the World Chess Championship. In 1975 he officially resigned the title when FIDE, the international chess federation, refused to accept his conditions for a title defense. He is […]
Boris Vasilievich Spassky (also Spasskia) (Russian: БориÌÑ Ð’Ð°ÑиÌльевич СпаÌÑÑкий) (born January 30, 1937) is a Russian chess player and former world champion. Early life He was born in Leningrad, and learned to play chess at the age of five on the train evacuating from Leningrad during World War II. Spassky was the most impressive Soviet […]
Tigran Petrosian (Armenian: ÕÕ«Õ£Ö€Õ¡Õ¶ ÕŠÕ¥Õ¿Ö€Õ¸Õ½ÕµÕ¡Õ¶; June 17, 1929 – August 13, 1984) was a world chess champion. He is often known by the Russian version of his name, Tigran [Vartanovich] Petrosyan (Russian: Тигран Вартанович ПетроÑÑн). His nickname was “Iron Tigran”, because of his almost impenetrable defense, which guaranteed safety above all else[1]. Biography An ethnic […]
Mikhail Nekhemievich Tal Latvian: Mihails TÄls; Russian: Михаил Ðехемьевич Таль) (November 9, 1936–June 28, 1992) was a Jewish Latvian chess player and the eighth World Chess Champion. Career Early years Tal was born in Riga, Latvia. At the age of eight, Mikhail learned to play chess while watching his father, a doctor. Shortly thereafter he […]
Vasily Vasiliyevich Smyslov (Russian: ВаÑиÌлий ВаÑильевич СмыÑлоÌв) (born March 24, 1921) is a Russian chess grandmaster, and was World Chess Champion from 1957 to 1958. He is known for his positional style and, in particular, for his precise handling of the endgame, but many of his games feature spectacular tactical shots as well. He has […]
Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik (August 17 [O.S. August 4] 1911 – May 5, 1995) was a Russian International Grandmaster and long-time World Champion of chess. Early years Born in Kuokkala, near Vyborg, the son of a dental technician, he first came to the notice of the chess world at the age of 14, when he defeated […]
Machgielis (Max) Euwe (last name is pronounced /ø:wÉ™/) (May 20, 1901 – November 26, 1981) was a Dutch chess player. He was the fifth player to become World Chess Champion (1935–1937). Biography Dr Max Euwe was born in Watergraafsmeer, near Amsterdam. He studied mathematics at the University of Amsterdam, earning his doctorate, and taught mathematics, […]
Alexander Alexandrovich Alekhine (sometimes spelled “Aljechin or Alechin”) (October 31 or November 1, 1892 – March 24, 1946) was a Russian-born naturalized French chess grandmaster (officially naturalized in 1927 only three days before the World Champion title), and the fourth World Chess Champion. He was known for his fierce and imaginative attacking style. Early life […]
José Raúl Capablanca y Graupera (November 19, 1888 – March 8, 1942) was a Cuban world-class chess player in the early to mid-twentieth century. He held the title of world chess champion from 1921 to 1927. Chess career Early years Referred to by many chess historians as the Mozart of chess, Capablanca was a chess […]
Emanuel Lasker (December 24, 1868 – January 11, 1941) was a German World Chess Champion, mathematician, and philosopher born at Berlinchen in Brandenburg (now Barlinek in Poland). Chess champion In 1894 he became the second World Chess Champion by defeating Steinitz with ten wins, four draws and five losses. He maintained this title for twenty-seven […]
