Mikhail Botvinnik

Profession: World Chess Champion

Nationality:

Biography: Mikhail Botvinnik was a Soviet Russian chess grandmaster and an electrical engineer. He became the sixth World Chess Champion and was a pioneer in computer chess.

Botvinnik excelled in chess from a young age and made significant strides early in his career, becoming the youngest player to qualify for the USSR Championship final stage in 1927. He won his first Soviet Championship in 1931.

His aspirations for the World Championship were disrupted by World War II. Botvinnik nevertheless continued to practice his chess skills during this time. After the war, he won the 1948 World Chess Championship, starting a reign that would include holding the title from 1948 to 1963, with a few interruptions.

Botvinnik defended his World Championship successfully multiple times but also lost and regained it. Notable defenses were against David Bronstein in 1951 and Vasily Smyslov in 1954. He lost to Smyslov in 1957 but won back the title in 1958. He then lost to Mikhail Tal in 1960 and reclaimed the title in 1961, before losing it for the final time to Tigran Petrosian in 1963.

Beyond the chessboard, Botvinnik made significant contributions to chess strategy, particularly in the Semi-Slav Defense. He founded a chess school that produced future champions such as Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov, and Vladimir Kramnik. Botvinnik wrote several books on chess and his analytical preparation.

Parallel to his chess career, Botvinnik earned a doctorate in electrical engineering, working on power stations and exploring the intersection of chess and computer science. His work in computer chess contributed to the early understanding of artificial intelligence.

Botvinnik's chess career was not free from controversy, particularly in the context of Soviet politics where chess success was a matter of national pride. There were accusations that he benefitted from political influence, but these did not overshadow his chess achievements.

After retiring from competitive chess in 1970, Botvinnik continued to influence the game through his coaching and work in computer chess until his death in 1995.

Born: April 17, 1911
Birthplace: Repino, Russia

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Aries

Died: May 5, 1995 (aged 84)