David Bronstein was a Ukrainian-born Soviet chess Grandmaster, notable for his chess writings and near-victory in the World Chess Championship. Born on February 19, 1924, Bronstein was one of the world's strongest players from the mid-1940s into the mid-1970s. He was described as a creative genius and an excellent writer about chess.
Bronstein was a renowned player of blitz chess and known for his unpredictable, attacking style of play. His groundbreaking work on the King's Indian Defence and other openings has been studied for decades.
In 1948, he tied for first place at the USSR Chess Championship, and reached the same result at the Interzonal the following year. In 1950, he tied the World Chess Championship match with reigning champion Mikhail Botvinnik, but lost in the tie break. He was very close to becoming World Champion but never achieved this feat, which has been attributed to his aversion to political machinations.
In the early 1950s, he was implicated in a political controversy involving his father-in-law, leading to a temporary decline in his career. His later life was marked by numerous tournament successes, as well as prolific writing on chess strategy and tactics.
Bronstein's chess books and articles, known for their depth and clarity, continue to exert an influence on aspiring chess players. His works include the classic Zurich 1953, his autobiographical The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and 200 Open Games.
He passed away on December 5, 2006. His legacy is a continuing influence on modern chess, both in terms of gameplay and literature.