Milko Bobotsov (30 July 1931 - 3 April 2000) was a Bulgarian chess player who was renowned for his contributions as Bulgaria's first grandmaster in 1961 and one of the finest players of his time. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Bobotsov was active in his career during the 1950s and '60s and played key roles in several chess Olympiads on behalf of his country.
Bobotsov's blossoming career was interrupted by a major stroke when he was only 37. Nonetheless, he continued to play chess and made some crucial contributions towards increasing Bulgaria's prominence in the international chess scene. He had several significant achievements, including a tie for 1st–2nd at Varna in 1960, a tie for 4th-5th at Havana in 1963, and a tie for 2nd–3rd at Athens in 1968. Bobotsov has also beaten world champions such as Vasily Smyslov and Mikhail Tal, attesting to his exceptional talents as a chess player.
While the level of his game suffered due to his health problems, Bobotsov remained involved in chess activities, holding the position of an arbiter and a trainer. His involvement in chess continued until his death on April 3, 2000.