A Russian chess grandmaster and author, known for his exceptional endgame skill and candid memoirs about the Soviet chess scene.
Viktor Korchnoi, a Russian-born Swiss chess grandmaster, is renowned for being one of the strongest players to have never claimed the World Chess Championship title. Despite this, he remains an iconic figure in the chess world, celebrated for his unwavering tenacity and unrelenting passion for the game.
Born on March 23, 1931, in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia), Korchnoi's early life was marked by turmoil. His parents, a Jewish mother and a Polish-Catholic father, divorced when he was young, leaving him to navigate the complexities of identity and belonging.
Korchnoi's chess prowess became apparent at a young age, and he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a Soviet chess champion four times and a member of the Soviet teams that won the European championship five times and the Chess Olympiad six times.
In 1962, he earned the title of grandmaster, cementing his position as a force to be reckoned with in the chess world.
The 1970s saw Korchnoi's most intense rivalry unfold, as he clashed with Anatoly Karpov in a series of matches that would become the stuff of chess legend. Korchnoi's losses in 1974 and 1978, followed by a thrilling rematch in 1981, only served to fuel his determination and solidify his reputation as a fierce competitor.
Despite never claiming the World Chess Championship title, Korchnoi continued to play competitive chess well into his 70s, winning the World Senior Chess Championship in 2006 at the age of 75.
This remarkable achievement earned him the distinction of being the oldest person to ever be ranked among the world's top 100 players.
Viktor Korchnoi's unwavering passion for chess, coupled with his unrelenting competitive spirit, has inspired generations of chess enthusiasts. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of dedication and the importance of pursuing one's dreams, no matter the obstacles.
89 Years Old
A Soviet chess grandmaster who dominated the game in the 1960s and 1970s, famously competing against Bobby Fischer in the 1972 World Chess Championship. He is known for his strategic and positional playing style.
74 Years Old
A Soviet chess grandmaster who dominated the game for over a decade, winning numerous championships and earning a reputation as one of the greatest players of all time.
63 Years Old
A Russian chess grandmaster and writer, renowned for being the world's top-ranked player for most of the 1980s and 1990s, and for his advocacy of democracy and human rights.
Born in 1921
A renowned chess grandmaster and seventh World Chess Champion, known for his strategic and positional playing style, which earned him the title of "Chess Philosopher".
Born in 1911
A Soviet chess grandmaster and engineer who dominated the game from the 1940s to 1960s, winning six World Chess Championships and developing the first chess-playing computer program.
96 Years Old
Armenian chess grandmaster who reigned as World Chess Champion from 1963 to 1969, known for his defensive playing style and ability to draw games from seemingly impossible positions.
Born in 1911
A renowned chess grandmaster and author, known for his exceptional skill and contributions to chess literature, dominating the game for decades with his strategic playing style.
89 Years Old
A legendary chess grandmaster and author, known for his creative and attacking playing style, which earned him the nickname "The Magician of Riga".
