Viktor Korchnoi

Date of Birth: March 23, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: June 6, 2016

Biography

Viktor Korchnoi was a Soviet and Swiss chess grandmaster and is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players never to have won the World Chess Championship. Born in Leningrad, Soviet Union, Korchnoi began playing chess at an early age and quickly distinguished himself as a prodigious talent. He won the USSR Chess Championship four times and represented the Soviet Union in numerous Chess Olympiads, earning multiple team and individual medals. In 1976, Korchnoi defected from the Soviet Union to the Netherlands, citing his dissatisfaction with the oppressive political climate. Later, he settled in Switzerland, where he continued his chess career while becoming a vocal critic of the Soviet regime. Korchnoi’s defection led to considerable tension in the chess world, particularly during his World Championship matches against Anatoly Karpov in 1978 and 1981, which were not only intense sporting contests but also fraught with political undertones. Despite never winning the World Championship, Korchnoi remained a formidable competitor well into his senior years, earning the nickname “Viktor the Terrible” for his aggressive playing style and relentless drive. He authored several books on chess, both instructional and autobiographical, contributing significantly to chess literature. His career spanned over six decades, making him one of the longest-serving top-level chess players in history.

5 Interesting Facts about Viktor Korchnoi

1. Viktor Korchnoi won the USSR Chess Championship four times (1960, 1962, 1964, and 1970).

2. He defected from the Soviet Union in 1976 and subsequently settled in Switzerland.

3. Korchnoi played in 10 Candidates Tournaments, the series of tournaments that determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship.

4. He was known for his longevity in the chess world, remaining competitive well into his 70s and 80s.

5. Korchnoi authored several influential books on chess, including his autobiography “Chess Is My Life.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Viktor Korchnoi

1. “The chessboard is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the Universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature, and the player on the other side is hidden from us.”

2. “I have not given any drawn or lost games, because I thought them inadequate to the purpose of the book.”

3. “Chess is my life, but my life is not just chess.”

4. “A single idea, if it is right, saves us the labor of an infinity of experiences.”

5. “The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Viktor Korchnoi’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, stemming from tournament winnings, book royalties, and endorsements.

Children

Viktor Korchnoi had one son, Igor Korchnoi, who followed in his father’s footsteps to some extent by also engaging in the chess world, although he did not attain the same level of fame or success.