Petersburg, Russia]—died June 6, 2016, Wohlen, Switzerland), world chess champion contender who was one of the fiercest competitors in the history of chess. During his prime years he was known as “Viktor the Terrible.” As a youngster, Korchnoi lived through the World War II siege of Leningrad (1941–43).
When did Korchnoi defect?
1976
Born in Leningrad, Soviet Union, Korchnoi defected to the Netherlands in 1976, and resided in Switzerland from 1978, becoming a Swiss citizen. Korchnoi played four matches, three of which were official, against GM Anatoly Karpov.
Is Viktor Korchnoi still alive?
Deceased (1931–2016)
Viktor Korchnoi/Living or Deceased
How good was Viktor Korchnoi?
World Senior Champion Korchnoi is also known for his longevity at the top tiers of competitive chess. In 2006, at the age of 75, he won the World Senior Championship, scoring a highly impressive 7.5 out of the first 8 games.
Did any Soviet chess players defect?
(Reuters) – Chess grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi, who defected from the Soviet Union in 1976 and then came within one game of beating arch-rival Anatoly Karpov for the world championship, has died at the age of 85, the Russian Chess Federation said on Monday.
Why did people defect from Soviet Union?
During the Cold War, the many people illegally emigrating from the Soviet Union or Eastern Bloc to the West were called defectors. Westerners defected to the Eastern Bloc as well, often to avoid prosecution as spies.
Was Stalin good chess?
Chess was a natural fit for the Soviet Union. Stalin cared so much about his reputation as a chess master that he publicized a fake game in which he claimed to defeat party loyalist and future chief of the secret police Nikolai Yezhov. (Stalin later had him executed.)
What does Soviet mean in English?
1 : an elected governmental council in a Communist country. 2 Soviets plural. a : bolsheviks. b : the people and especially the political and military leaders of the U.S.S.R.
What did the Berlin Wall symbolize?
The wall, which stood between 1961 to 1989, came to symbolize the ‘Iron Curtain’ – the ideological split between East and West – that existed across Europe and between the two superpowers, the US and the Soviet Union, and their allies, during the Cold War.
Why is Russia so depressive?
Still, one could list a dozen reasons for why being depressed is a distinct possibility for a Russian: terrible roads; uneven standards of healthcare and education across the country; social isolation up north, coupled with cancer risks in industrial cities; provinces living without hope of development due to rampant …
What does Bolshevik mean in English?
member of
English Language Learners Definition of Bolshevik : a member of the political party that started to rule Russia in 1917 or a member of a similar political party : communist.
What did Viktor Korchnoi do with his son?
Korchnoi’s wife and son were still in the Soviet Union. His son was promised that he would be allowed to join his father, if he gave up his passport. When he did so, he was promptly drafted into the Soviet army.
When did Viktor Korchnoi join the national team?
Korchnoi earned his first international team selection for the Soviet student team in 1954, joined the full national team for the European Team Championship three years later, and would represent the USSR through 1974. He won 21 medals for the USSR. His complete Soviet international team play results follow:
When did Viktor Korchnoi defect to the Netherlands?
Viktor Korchnoi (23 March 1931 – 6 June 2016) was a professional chess grandmaster and author. He was born in Leningrad, USSR. In 1976 he defected to the Netherlands.
When did Viktor Korchnoi become a Swiss citizen?
Born in Leningrad, Soviet Union, Korchnoi defected to the Netherlands in 1976, and resided in Switzerland from 1978, becoming a Swiss citizen. Korchnoi played four matches, three of which were official, against GM Anatoly Karpov. In 1974, Korchnoi lost the Candidates final to Karpov.
