Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov was a renowned Soviet and Russian chess grandmaster known for his positional style. He was the seventh World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1957 to 1958. Smyslov also competed in a record eight Candidates Tournaments (1950, 1953, 1956, 1959, 1965, 1983, and 1985), winning it twice (1953 and 1956).
Born in Moscow, Russia in 1921, Smyslov gained his interest in chess from his father who was a strong player. He quickly made a name for himself in the chess world, securing his first international title at the age of 17. He reached his peak in the 1950s, but even after losing his title to Mikhail Botvinnik in 1958, he remained among the top players in the world for many years.
Smyslov was not only a chess player but also a talented baritone singer. He even considered a professional singing career at the Bolshoi Theatre, but he decided to stick with chess.
The Second Piatigorsky Cup took place in Santa Monica, California in 1966, where Smyslov came in second place after Boris Spassky. He played in World Chess Championship matches in 1957 and 1958, where he won and lost, respectively.
In 1984, he became the oldest World Championship candidate when he was 63, and his last tournament was in 2000. He served for many years on the board of the Russian Chess Federation and also worked for FIDE in various capacities.
Despite his advancing age and declining health, he remained active in the chess world into his later years. Smyslov passed away in 2010 at the age of 89. His achievements in chess make him one of the most significant players in the history of the game.