The Magician of Riga

Mikhail Tal

Mikhail Tal, the renowned chess player, was born on November 9, 1936, in Riga, Latvia. As a child, Tal showed an early aptitude for the game of chess. He began playing at a young age and quickly displayed a natural talent and passion for the game. Tal's childhood was marked by his love for chess and his dedication to honing his skills, setting the foundation for his future success in the world of chess. From a young age, Mikhail Tal was blessed with incredible talent but was cursed with ill health. He learned how to read at the age of three, and started at university at the age of fifteen. He learned how to play chess at the age of SIX by watching his father play.

The Breakthrough of the Genius

1. World Chess Championship (1960): Tal became the World Chess Champion by defeating Mikhail Botvinnik in their match held in Moscow. This victory made him the youngest World Chess Champion in history at the age of 23.

2. Soviet Chess Championship (1957, 1958, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978): Tal won the prestigious Soviet Chess Championship a remarkable six times. This tournament featured the strongest chess players from the Soviet Union, making it one of the most competitive events in the chess world.

3. Interzonal Tournaments: Tal achieved success in several Interzonal Tournaments, which were crucial qualifying events for the World Chess Championship. He won the Interzonal Tournaments held in Stockholm (1962), Sousse (1967), and Manila (1976), securing his place in the Candidates Tournaments.

4. Candidates Tournaments: Tal performed exceptionally well in the Candidates Tournaments, which determined the challenger for the World Chess Championship. He finished in second place in the Candidates Tournament held in Curacao (1962) and in third place in the Candidates Tournament held in Bled (1965).

5. Piatigorsky Cup (1966): Tal won the prestigious Piatigorsky Cup, a strong international tournament held in Santa Monica, California. This victory showcased his exceptional skills against some of the world's top players.

*These are just a few examples of the major chess tournaments that Mikhail Tal triumphed in throughout his career. His success in these events solidified his reputation as one of the greatest chess players of all time and left an indelible mark on the history of the game.

World Chess Championship (1960)

A World Chess Championship was played between Mikhail Botvinnik and Mikhail Tal in Moscow from March 15 to May 7, 1960. Botvinnik was the reigning champion, after winning the World Chess Championship 1958, while Tal qualified by winning the Candidates tournament. Tal won by a margin of 4 points. At the age of 23, Tal became the youngest World Chess Champion in history. This victory marked a significant milestone in Tal's career and solidified his reputation as a brilliant and innovative chess player. Tal's aggressive and imaginative playing style, characterized by daring sacrifices and tactical brilliance, played a crucial role in his success during the championship match. His victory in the 1960 World Chess Championship remains a remarkable achievement and a testament to his exceptional talent and skill in the game of chess.

The Immortal Game of Mikhail Tal

The shown game is considered Mikhail Tal's Immortal game but that's not the only brilliant game of Tal.

1. Mikhail Tal vs. Vasily Smyslov (1959): In this game, Tal showcased his attacking prowess against the former World Chess Champion, Vasily Smyslov. Tal sacrificed multiple pieces to launch a devastating attack on Smyslov's king, leading to a stunning victory.

2. Mikhail Tal vs. Paul Keres (1962): This game is often referred to as the "Pearl of Riga." Tal, playing with the black pieces, demonstrated his tactical brilliance by sacrificing a rook to create a powerful attack against Keres' king. The game is celebrated for its intricate combinations and Tal's audacious play.

3. Mikhail Tal vs. Bent Larsen (1965): Known as the "Game of the Century," this encounter between Tal and Larsen is a masterpiece of attacking chess. Tal sacrificed his queen to expose Larsen's king and launched a relentless assault that ultimately led to victory.

4. Mikhail Tal vs. Anatoly Karpov (1971): In this game, Tal faced the future World Chess Champion, Anatoly Karpov. Tal's imaginative play and tactical wizardry were on full display as he outmaneuvered Karpov and secured a memorable victory.

5. Mikhail Tal vs. Boris Spassky (1980): This game, played in the final round of the USSR Chess Championship, showcased Tal's resourcefulness and fighting spirit. Despite being in poor health, Tal fought tenaciously and defeated Spassky in a complex and thrilling battle.