Mikhail Tal was a renowned Latvian Soviet chess player known for his aggressive, unpredictable style of play. He became the eighth World Chess Champion in 1960, at the age of 23, making him the youngest-ever champion at that time. Tal's chess career was plagued by health issues, but he remained a formidable player nonetheless. He maintained a place among the world's top ten players well into the 1970s, and had a winning record in his individual encounters with each of the five World Champions who held the title during his peak competitive years.
Tal's strategic style was considered unconventional. He prioritized complexity and often sacrificed pieces to disrupt his opponent's balance, believing that the possibility of error compensates for the material disadvantage. He was known for creating complicated situations where he could thrive.
Tal was also known for his meticulously detailed analysis and ability to spot extraordinarily deep combinations. His charisma and flamboyant playing style were immensely popular among chess fans, and gained him the nickname "the magician from Riga". Tal still holds several records, including the longest unbeaten streak in modern chess history (in 1973–74).
Mikhail Tal passed away in 1992 and is considered one of the greats in chess history. His influence on the chess world has been profound, with many of his games being described as beautiful, creative masterpieces. His contributions to chess opening theory, particularly the Sicilian Defence and the Caro-Kann Defence, are still popular among today's grandmasters.