Who Do You Think Is The Best Soviet Master Ever?

For the soviets Alexander Alekhine had the most years as undisputed champion.

He also has great historical impact.  Of course the future always improves the past.

Im not sure Kasparov would just kill him now, but he being from a much more advanced chess era would surely have an advantage.  It’s sort of like questioning could Rocky Marciano have beaten Muhammad Ali,  or Ali have beaten Mike Tyson or Holyfield?   One thing is for sure, show up for enough title defenses, and you eventually get beaten.  Sometimes by the most unlikely opponents.  That’s why who is overall best may not matter so much on head to head competition with the past versus the future, but rather who accomplished the most with what he had before him.  My vote therefore always goes to the most “enduring player.”

Actually he was born in Russia but he came in France in 1921. Then he spent the rest of his life in our country.

Mikhail Botvinnik is the Wch I think is the best Soviet player .

Except for the world champions, I would call the best Korchnoi, Keres or Geller.

Kasparov and Karpov

when Botvinnik was 14 he won Kapablanka. "He was very angry", - said Botvinnik afterwards

My head says Botvinnik. My heart says Bronstein.

My personal favorite is Petrosian.  

I love the way he plays.  And anyone that can go 2 years in a row at the USSR championship without a loss is ok in my book.

Chess is a science, Tal made it an art.

Wow really kortchnoi ? u must really be tired as a your name states LMAO , kortchnoi couldn't home a candle to most of the old GM's , and Botvinnick lost all credibility when he could see straight during the 1972 CWC run by the great Bobby Fischer and kept on saying nonsense like the next player would end Fischer's run ? and each time he was wrong , Fischer destroyed the competition with relative ease. So the best Soviet master of has to the true master of attack from no where Alexander Alekhine is a keeper here.

Korchnoi couldn't hold a candle to most of the GMs? I'll have you know Korchnoi was a candidate for the world championship on TEN occasions, a FOUR-time USSR chess champion, a winner of the chess olympiads and the number two for a long time. Keres was also the number two for a long time. And Geller was one of the greatest in the USSR. He was a candidate for several times, a big theoretician and had an overall plus score against several world champions and even against - a surprise for you - "the great" Fischer. And in addition to what has been said Alekhine wasn't even a Soviet master: he left for France in 1921. You don't know the history of chess and still trying to argue about something. You need to learn it a little if you don't want to remain in what I'm "tired" of LOL

LMAO , kortchnoi this and kortchnoi that ? and all he ever achieved was being one the most disgusting players to play with an equally bad attitude , and as for who he ever beat ? LMAO who cares about this trash of a player ? I guess only you ? and as for Alekhine ? yeah he was born a Soviet enough said , who cares if he went another country later in life. okay since u have this ridiculous infatuation with kortchnoi as the best ever soviet master ? lets see this mighty warrior couldn't take out Karpov in what ? 2 attempts and don't tell me he's better that Kasparov too .

Read my second comment closely to learn about Korchnoi's achievements. Both Kasparov and Karpov admitted the fact Korchnoi was one of the best chess players of his time. I don't try to tell you he's better than Kasparov as I spoke "except for the world champions". You're too inattentive.

Originally posted on Chesstalk February 3, 2000

by Kevin Spraggett

I remember fondly one conversation I had a few years back with Boris Spassky. We were discussing 'THE' Victor Korchnoi ('Victor the Terrible' to many).

Boris and Victor had been bitter adversaries for more than 40 years at the time of this conversation, and they had played more than 60 times in official competitions..(including 2 candidates finals)... only Karpov can boast to have played Victor more times.

Boris, at one point, came up with the incredible statement that Korchnoi had every quality necessary to become world champion BUT lacked ONEvery essential quality...and it was precisely this quality that prevented him from attaining chess' highest title.

I coaxed Boris on...He began to list Korchnoi's many qualities:

Petrosian. Because sometimes it's less about winning and more about not losing