Alexander Alexandrovich Kotov was a renowned Soviet chess grandmaster and author. Born on August 12, 1913, Kotov became an international grandmaster in 1951 and was known for his aggressive style of play.
Kotov was born and raised in Tula, Russia, and moved to Moscow in his early years to pursue engineering. However, his passion for chess led him to success in several local and international tournaments in the 1930s and the 1940s. He won the Soviet Championship twice and earned a third place in the World Championship Tournament in 1948.
His most significant achievement was perhaps in the 1950s, where he competed in two Candidates Tournaments which decide the World Chess Championship challenger. Despite not winning, these tournaments elevated his status among the world's best players.
Kotov is also known for his chess literature, contributing volumes to the development and strategies of chess. His most influential works include "Think Like a Grandmaster" and "Play Like a Grandmaster", both of which are recommended resources for intermediate and advanced chess players. His books introduced the concept of "candidate moves" and emphasized the importance of rigorous and systematic thinking to chess success.
Alexander Kotov passed away on January 8, 1981. He is remembered as a significant figure in the world of chess, as both a grandmaster player and an insightful author.