Tigran Petrosian

Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian (June 17, 1929 – August 13, 1984) was a Soviet and Armenian chess Grandmaster, and the ninth World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1963 to 1969. He was awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE in 1952.

Petrosian was born in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union, to Armenian parents. He learned to play chess at the age of eight and quickly showed great talent for the game, winning the Armenian Chess Championship three times in his teens. In 1952, he was awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE, the highest title in chess.

Petrosian was known for his positional play and his ability to grind down his opponents. He was also a master of endgame technique. He was a very tough competitor and was rarely defeated.

Petrosian won the World Chess Championship in 1963 by defeating Mikhail Botvinnik in a 22-game match. He successfully defended his title in 1966 against Boris Spassky, but lost it to Spassky in 1969.

Petrosian continued to play chess at a high level after losing the World Championship. He won numerous tournaments and was a member of the Soviet team that won the Chess Olympiad four times.

Petrosian died of stomach cancer in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, on August 13, 1984, at the age of 55. He is considered one of the greatest chess players of all time.

Here are some of Petrosian's notable achievements:

• World Chess Champion from 1963 to 1969
• Winner of the Chess Olympiad four times (1956, 1958, 1960, and 1962)
• Winner of the Candidates Tournament three times (1956, 1959, and 1962)
• Winner of the Soviet Chess Championship six times (1951, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1961, and 1969)
• Winner of the Hastings International Chess Congress four times (1955-56, 1957-58, 1959-60, and 1962-63)
• Winner of the Mar del Plata International Chess Tournament three times (1954, 1959, and 1962)

Petrosian was a great chess player and a true champion. He is an inspiration to chess players all over the world.