Viktor Korchnoi was a Soviet and Swiss chess grandmaster, known for being one of the strongest players never to win a World Chess Championship. Born in Leningrad, USSR in 1931, Korchnoi learned to play chess at a young age. He won his first USSR championship in 1960, and went on to earn 20 total USSR titles. His career was marred by political difficulties with the USSR, from which he defected in 1976. This made him a pariah in the USSR, but he continued to compete internationally.
Korchnoi twice challenged Anatoly Karpov for the World Chess Championship, but was unsuccessful both times. Their matches were contentious and marked by psychological warfare. Despite never holding the championship, Korchnoi was one of the world's top players for decades.
Korchnoi moved to Switzerland and became a Swiss citizen in 1978, continuing to compete for his new home country. He remained active as a chess player even into his late 70s. He was known for his aggressive playing style and his disrespect for younger players, often belittling their abilities.
In later years, Korchnoi's health declined due to a series of strokes, which eventually led to his retirement in 2012. However, he was still held in high regard by the international chess community, and his over-60-year competitive career was one of the longest in the history of the game. Until his death in 2016, Korchnoi was the oldest active grandmaster on the tournament circuit. He is widely considered one of the greatest chess players in history.
Korchnoi's legacy extends beyond his achievements in the world of chess. He wrote several books on chess theory, and his games continue to be studied for their high-level play and aggressive strategies. Additionally, his personal and political struggles added a dimension to his career that many chess players do not experience, and his life story adds intrigue to his accomplishments as a grandmaster.