Vasily Smyslov

Soviet chess master who was an eight time candidate for World Champion.

He began playing chess at the early age of six and was inspired by Alexander Alekhine's book 'My Best Games of Chess 1908-1923.'

His father, who worked as an engineering technician and represented the St. Petersburg Technical Institute in intercollegiate chess competitions, was his first chess teacher.

He was a major competitor to Paul Keres.