Vasily Smyslov

Vasily Smyslov was born in Moscow in 1921 and learned chess from his father, an engineering technician and experienced player. His father’s books, including a collection of Alexander Alekhine’s games, formed part of his early study. In 1938 he won the Soviet junior championship and shared first place in the Moscow championship. He placed second in the five-player world championship tournament of 1948. FIDE awarded him the Grandmaster title in 1950.

Smyslov won the 1953 Candidates Tournament and drew his 1954 championship match with Mikhail Botvinnik, who retained the title under the rules. He won the Candidates again in 1956 and defeated Botvinnik in 1957 to become the seventh world champion. Botvinnik won their return match in 1958. Smyslov continued to qualify for world-championship competition into his sixties, reaching the Candidates final against Garry Kasparov in 1984. He won the inaugural World Senior Championship in 1991.

Smyslov collected seventeen team and individual medals at Chess Olympiads. Away from the board, he was a trained baritone who performed songs and operatic works. His chess writing included Rook Endings, co-authored with Grigory Levenfish, and collections of his best games. He also composed endgame studies. Deteriorating eyesight eventually restricted his tournament activity, although he continued working on chess compositions. He died in Moscow in 2010, shortly after his eighty-ninth birthday.