Mark Taimanov Biography

Mark Evgenievich Taimanov (Russian: Марк Евгеньевич Тайманов; 7 February 1926 – 28 November 2016) was one of the leading Soviet and Russian chess players, among the world's top 20 players from 1946 to 1971. Taimanov was also a prolific chess author. Taimanov became a Grandmaster in 1952, and in 1956 won the USSR Chess Championship. He was a World Championship Candidate twice, in 1953 and 1971. In 1971, however, Taimanov lost his Candidates match by 6–0 to Bobby Fischer. Taimanov excelled in team play representing the USSR. Several chess variations are named after him. Taimanov was also a world-class concert pianist.