Boris Spassky the Soviet Genius

Known as one of the best chess players in the world, Boris Spassky is a true legend in the world of chess.

Since his childhood, Spassky showed outstanding skills in chess, which led him to become a world champion at an early age.

On this occasion, we will delve into his life, his achievements in chess and what characterizes him as one of the best, and all that he has contributed to the world of chess.

Childhood

Boris Spassky was born on January 30, 1937 in the Soviet Union, from a very young age, he showed a great interest and ability in chess, it was his mother who taught him to play at the age of 4, and since then, Spassky did not stop playing and learning new techniques.

His talent in chess was quickly recognized, so much so that, at the age of 10, Spassky was selected to train in one of the best chess schools in Moscow.

There, he had the opportunity to work with great coaches and players, which helped him continue to grow as a player.

Professional Career

Spassky began his career as a professional player in 1955, when he won the Leningrad Chess Championship, in 1956, he managed to qualify for the Championship of the Soviet Union, which made him one of the most outstanding players in the country.

From then on, his career took off rapidly, in 1960, Spassky participated in the Interzonal Tournament in Yugoslavia, where he qualified for the World Championship Candidates.

In 1966, he managed to win the Candidates Tournament in Amsterdam, which led him to face the world champion, Tigran Petrosian, in a 24-game match.

The match between Spassky and Petrosian was very close, but Spassky managed to win and became the new world chess champion.

Match Boris Spassky vs Petrosian

This was one of his most important achievements, as he not only became the world champion, but also broke the streak of five consecutive world championships won by Soviet players.

In 1972, Spassky faced another great player, the American Bobby Fischer, in what became known as "The Match of the Century". A match that in addition to the competitive implications, also had political implications between the United States and the Soviet Union. Each wanted to demonstrate their intellectual superiority.

Match Boris Spassky vs Bobby Fischer

Boris Spassky Style of Play

What characterizes Boris Spassky as one of the best chess players of all time is his creative and aggressive style of play, he was never afraid to take risks and always looked for innovative ways to play.

Spassky was also known for his ability to change his style of play according to the situation, he was able to adapt to different types of opponents and change his strategy in the middle of the game. Thanks to his style of play he managed to reach an Elo pick rating of 2690, remaining for most of his career among the top 3 in the world.

Another of his most outstanding skills was his ability to create complex and unpredictable tactical positions, his moves on the board were always full of surprises, which made him a very difficult player to face.

He had a universal style and very advanced for his time, being able to play strategic and tactical positions with a very good level. This style of play is the one that is used today where professional players know how to play very well in all types of positions.

Legacy

Boris Spassky's career has left a great legacy in chess, his innovative and unpredictable style of play has been an inspiration to many players, and his legacy lives on in chess today.

In addition to his achievements as a player, Spassky has also contributed to the chess world in other ways.

In 1984, Spassky became the first Soviet player to play in a chess tournament in Israel, which helped improve relations between the two countries.

Spassky has also written several books on chess and has been an expert commentator in several tournaments, his experience and knowledge have been very valuable to the chess world.

A Legend

Boris Spassky is one of the greatest chess players of all time, his career has been impressive, and his legacy lives on in chess today.

His creative and aggressive style of play, as well as his ability to adapt to different situations and opponents, make him a true legend in the chess world.

In addition to his achievements in chess, Spassky has also made important contributions to the sport, both in teaching and in promoting peace and understanding between countries.

Here you can find a compilation of their games

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