Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov

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.