Michail Nechemjewitsch Tal (1936 - 1992)
Michail
Tal was born in Riga on November 9, 1936. His father was a doctor. Tal was
very intelligent. He skipped two grades in school. He distinguished himself
through his knowledge in mathematics. Tal had many problems with his health
during his life. He was a chain smoker and he drank alcohol. Later a kidney
had to be taken from his body. But Tal was one of the most "normal" players.
He was also interested in football, art and music. In 1992 he died because
of his weak health.
In 1953 he was for the first time Latvian master. In 1954 he received the grandmaster title and already in 1957 he became Russian master. Then in 1960 there was a match for the world master title between him and Botvinnik. Tal won this fight with 6:2 points with 13 draws. But Botvinnik could adapt to the style of Tal and so Botwinnik won the rematch with 10:5 points with 6 draws. Tal became world master in speed chess in 1988. His career was characterized again and again through his illness.
Tal's style was unique. He was often called "The king of combinations" or "witchmaster" or "magician". He was able to calculate variants very fast. He often played sacrifices, which could not be resolved by his opponent. But he also remarked that it is also important to have a strong position play.