Mikhail Botvinnik
(1911-1995)

The 6th world champion, Botvinnik lent his name to an era. Winning the title in 1948, he lost and recaptured it against Smyslov and Tal before bowing out after his final title loss to Petrosian in 1963. Botvinnik’s first great success was equal first at Nottingham 1936. He dominated tournament play in the 1940s, developing rigorous training methods and a scientific style emphasizing whole systems of play extending from the opening to the ending. In later years, he devoted himself to developing computer chess.