Mikhail Tal: Profile of the chess player

Mikhail Tal was a Latvian chess grandmaster who is considered one of the most creative and fascinating players in chess history

That was Mikhail Tal

Mikhail Tal was one of the most influential chess players of the 20th century, famous for his unconventional and risky moves and his ability to grasp complex positions intuitively.

• Tal was born on November 9, 1936 in Riga, Latvia, the son of the doctor and equally enthusiastic chess player Jakov Tal and his wife Elizaveta. Mikhail had a brother named Wulf.

• He started playing chess at the age of six and showed exceptional talent at an early age. Nevertheless, he is not considered a child prodigy in the classic sense. In addition to intellectual sports, he was also fascinated by music and mathematics.

• A decisive turning point in his chess career was his encounter with Alexander Koblenz, who subsequently became Tal’s coach and lifelong confidant. Tal was only 13 years old at the time.

• In the 1950s, he conquered the chess scene with breathtaking speed. His aggressive and sacrificial attacking style earned him the nickname “Wizard of Riga”.

• His games were often spectacular and unpredictable, characterized by bold combinations and seemingly irrational moves.

• 1960 marked the high point of his career: Tal won the World Championship at the age of just 23 with a victory over the reigning World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik. This made Tal the youngest world champion of his time and he held this record for many years.

• His genius was not based on tactics alone, but also on his psychological approach to the game. He always tried to confuse his opponents and tempt them into making mistakes.

• Tal was active as a chess author and commentator outside of his playing career. His autobiography “The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal” is a classic of chess literature. Here he gives an insight into his way of thinking and philosophy of play

• Despite impairments due to kidney disease, he remained faithful to chess. He won the Blitz Championship in 1988. He played at the highest level until his death on June 28, 1992 in Moscow.

• His innovative ideas and fearless style of play inspired subsequent generations, and his influence on the sport of chess can still be felt today. Games with his participation are considered true masterpieces of the art of chess and are repeatedly analyzed and admired.