[Lobowolf]

The oldest former world chess champion, Vasily Smyslov, died today, a few days after his 89th birthday. Smyslov rose to world-class status early, finishing 3rd in the Absolute Championship of the USSR in 1941, a very strong quadrupe round-robin. He was second in the 1948 match tournament for the world championship after Alekhine's death. In 1953, he won the Candidates tournament at Zurich, one of the strongest tournaments ever, losing just one game out of 28. He won the world championship from Botvinnik, and in 3 world championship matches (one won, one lost, and one drawn), he had a plus score against Botvinnik. In 1983, he reached the Candidates' final in his 60s - he was the last hurdle for Kasparov to win the right to challenge Karpov. He had a very long career, and was among the best players in the world during many decades. He had a deceptively simple style, and excelled in the endgame, and at positional and strategic themes.

[PassedOut]

A great career. His games were among the most helpful to study.

[y66]

I'm not much of a chess player any more. But I remember his name from years ago. Will read his obit and check out some of his games.

[Lobowolf]

Best value in a chess book ever is Bronstein's book on the Zurich 1953 Candidates' Tournament (I've even seen a BBO player with the handle Zurich1953). Double round robin between 15 players, including many world champions (Petrosian, Smyslov, Euwe) and some of the best non-champions (Keres, Reshevsky, Bronstein). And some of the best annotations ever, all by Bronstein, including openings, middlegame, endings, strategy, tactics, psychology, and personalities. How much, for these 210 games? $7.95!! Smyslov won the tournament with a score of, I believe, 18-10 (+9 =18 -1) - good place to find some of his great games.

[luke warm]

back then, and probably even today, the russian grandmasters were so numerous... you left off a couple of my favorites, tal and keres, although i don't think keres ever won a championship

[Lobowolf]

luke warm, on Mar 28 2010, 07:20 AM, said:

back then, and probably even today, the russian grandmasters were so numerous... you left off a couple of my favorites, tal and keres, although i don't think keres ever won a championship

I mentioned Keres...I left Tal off only because he didn't play in the Zurich '53 tournament. He was a little too young yet. He's definitely one of my all-time favorites, though.

[y66]

Lobowolf, on Mar 27 2010, 07:14 PM, said:

Best value in a chess book ever is Bronstein's book on the Zurich 1953 Candidates' Tournament (I've even seen a BBO player with the handle Zurich1953). Double round robin between 15 players, including many world champions (Petrosian, Smyslov, Euwe) and some of the best non-champions (Keres, Reshevsky, Bronstein). And some of the best annotations ever, all by Bronstein, including openings, middlegame, endings, strategy, tactics, psychology, and personalities. How much, for these 210 games? $7.95!! Smyslov won the tournament with a score of, I believe, 18-10 (+9 =18 -1) - good place to find some of his great games.

Thanks man. I'll check that out.

[Lobowolf]

Here's the edition:

http://www.amazon.com/Zurich-International...469&sr=8-1#noop

Happy to see it's still priced close to what I remember it as. The "Click to Look Inside" feature will show you some of Bronstein's annotations. He put a lot of work into that one. Always loved great tournament books.

[Rossoneri]

Wow, one of the great players of his generation surely...RIP Smyslov!