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Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov
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Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov

Russian chess master
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Quick Facts
Born:
March 24, 1921, Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R.
Died:
March 27, 2010, Moscow, Russia (aged 89)
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Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov (born March 24, 1921, Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R.—died March 27, 2010, Moscow, Russia) was a Russian chess master who won the world championship from Mikhail Botvinnik in 1957 and lost it to Botvinnik in a return match in 1958.

(Read Garry Kasparov’s Britannica essay on chess & Deep Blue.)

Smyslov was noted for his patient positional style and his precise endgame technique. His book Smyslov’s 125 Selected Games (1983) shows his subtle playing style and endgame artistry.

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