Viktor Korchnoi

Viktor Korchnoi is a Russian professional chess player, born on March 23, 1931, in Leningrad, Russian SFSR. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time. Korchnoi began his professional career competing in local tournaments before moving to international competitions in the 1950s, where he won several accolades and titles.

Korchnoi is known for his incredible strategic understanding, endgame skills, defensive play, and versatility. He has won numerous individual awards, including two USSR Chess Championship titles, and holds multiple records, such as being the oldest player to win a game in a World Championship match.

Off the board, Korchnoi is also recognized for his political stance, having defected from the USSR in 1976, and his influence, inspiring millions worldwide.

Early Career

• Youth and Early Career: Korchnoi was born and raised in Leningrad and developed a passion for chess at a young age. He made his first significant achievement by winning the USSR Youth Championship in 1947.

International Success

• Early Success: Korchnoi achieved international recognition in the 1950s. He earned the title of International Grandmaster in 1956 and went on to win multiple international tournaments, including the USSR Chess Championship twice.

Defection from USSR

• Political Asylum: In 1976, during a tournament in the Netherlands, Korchnoi sought political asylum and defected from the USSR. His subsequent matches against Soviet players, particularly Anatoly Karpov, were marked by intense political tension.

Later Career

• Continued Success: Despite his age, Korchnoi remained a competitive player into his 70s and 80s, setting records for being the oldest player to win a game in a World Championship match and the oldest player to maintain a world top 100 ranking.

World Chess Championship

• Runner-Up: Korchnoi was the runner-up in the World Chess Championship matches of 1978 and 1981, narrowly losing both times to Anatoly Karpov.

Achievements:

• Korchnoi has won numerous international tournaments, including the USSR Chess Championship, the Wijk aan Zee tournament, and the Lone Pine tournament.

• Style: Korchnoi is known for his aggressive and uncompromising style of play. He excels in defensive positions and endgames.
• Skills: Korchnoi's understanding of complex middlegame positions and his ability to create counterplay in difficult positions are particularly noted.

• Family: Korchnoi has been married twice and has one son. His second wife, Petra Leeuwerik, also served as his manager.
• Political Views: Korchnoi was a vocal critic of the Soviet Union's political system, leading to his defection in 1976.

• Viktor Korchnoi is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his tenacity, determination, and longevity in professional chess. His impact on the game and his status as an icon extend beyond the chessboard, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Oldest Player to Win a Game in a World Championship Match:

• At the age of 60

Oldest Player to Maintain a World Top 100 Ranking:

• Until the age of 75

Winner of Numerous International Tournaments:

• Includes the USSR Chess Championship, the Wijk aan Zee tournament, and the Lone Pine tournament

Books

• Korchnoi, V. (1978) Chess is My Life. London: Batsford.
• Korchnoi, V. (2005) My Best Games. Olomouc: Moravian Chess Publishing House.

Websites

• Chess.com: Information about Viktor Korchnoi’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.chess.com
• FIDE: Details about Korchnoi’s career and ranking. Available at: https://www.fide.com

Articles

• ChessBase: Viktor Korchnoi: Career highlights and records. Available at: https://en.chessbase.com

Interviews and Documentaries

• ALONE (2011): Directed by Mateusz Kudla & Anna-Maria Borys, this documentary provides a detailed look at Korchnoi's life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.