Vasily Smyslov: Soviet Chess Grandmaster and World Champion Dies at 89

Vasily Smyslov was a Soviet chess grandmaster and the seventh World Chess Champion. Born on March 24, 1921, in Moscow, he learned the game from his father.

He won the Candidates Tournaments in 1953 and 1956 and defeated Mikhail Botvinnik in 1957 to take the world title, which he held until Botvinnik won the rematch in 1958. He also holds the record for the most Chess Olympiad medals, with 17.

He was also a trained baritone and sang in concerts. Smyslov died of congestive heart failure in a Moscow hospital on March 27, 2010, at age 89.

Achievements: World Chess Champion (1957-1958), record 17 Chess Olympiad medals.

Birth: March 24, 1921 - Moscow, Russia.

Profession: Chess grandmaster.

Interesting Facts: He was an accomplished baritone.