Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik, born on August 17, 1911, in Kuokkala, Grand Duchy of Finland (then part of the Russian Empire), was a Soviet and Russian chess grandmaster. He was the sixth World Chess Champion, holding the title during three separate reigns between 1948 and 1963. Botvinnik is often referred to as the “Patriarch of the Soviet Chess School” due to his profound influence on Soviet and international chess.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik
- Date of Birth: August 17, 1911
- Place of Birth: Kuokkala, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire (now Repino, Russia)
- Date of Death: May 5, 1995
- Place of Death: Moscow, Russia
- Nationality: Soviet/Russian
- Education: Graduated from the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Electrical Engineering
- Profession: Electrical Engineer, Computer Scientist, Chess Player
Chess Career Highlights
- World Chess Champion:
- First Reign: 1948–1957
- Second Reign: 1958–1960
- Third Reign: 1961–1963
- Notable Achievements:
- Won the World Chess Championship tournament in 1948, becoming the sixth World Chess Champion.
- Successfully defended his title against David Bronstein in 1951 and Vasily Smyslov in 1954.
- Lost the title to Smyslov in 1957 but regained it in a rematch in 1958.
- Lost the title to Mikhail Tal in 1960 and regained it in a rematch in 1961.
- Pioneered the Soviet Chess School, mentoring future champions like Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov, and Vladimir Kramnik.
- Contributed to the development of computer chess and artificial intelligence.
Career Statistics
- Total Games Played: Over 1,200 recorded games
- Win Percentage: Approximately 55%
- Draw Percentage: Around 35%
- Loss Percentage: Approximately 10%
- Notable Opponents: David Bronstein, Vasily Smyslov, Mikhail Tal, Tigran Petrosian
Net Worth and Lifestyle
- Net Worth:
- Exact figures are not available due to the era and the Soviet economic system.
- As a prominent figure in Soviet chess, Botvinnik received state support and stipends.
- Lifestyle Highlights:
- Balanced his chess career with his profession as an electrical engineer.
- Known for his disciplined and scientific approach to chess preparation.
- Authored several books on chess strategy and his own games.
- After retiring from competitive play, focused on coaching and developing computer chess programs.
Legacy
Mikhail Botvinnik’s contributions to chess extend beyond his achievements as a player. As a mentor and theoretician, he laid the foundation for the Soviet dominance in chess during the mid-20th century. His analytical approach and emphasis on preparation have influenced generations of chess players worldwide.
