Michail Moissejewitsch Botwinnik (1911 - 1995)
Botvinnik
was born nearby St. Petersburg (Russia) August the 17th 1911. His father was
dentist with a Ukrainian origin. Botvinnik studied the technical sciences.
During the World War two he worked in his special subject: power current technical
engineer and power plant builder. 1948 through 1951 he did his doctorate.
He died in Moscow on May 5, 1995.
Botvinnik learned chess at age 12. That is very late for one who would eventually become a world master. In 1931 he became Russian master, a feat which he would repeat in1933, 1939, 1941, 1944, 1945 and 1952. Botvinnik also won the tournament for the successor of Aljechins in 1948 against Smyslov, Euwe, Reshevsky and Keres. He would defend the title until 1963 with two short breaks one in 1957 (Smyslov) and another in 1960 (Tal). The new world champion became Tigran Petrosjan who won the match with 12,5:9,5 points. In 1970, Botvinnik retired from active chess. Later he became leader of the chess school in Moscow where he looked after Karpov and Kasparov. He also displayed a big engagement in implementing many new ideas in Chess programming. Botvinnik's strong point was his analysis and the preparation.