[Regnum] Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion, has died at the age of 88. This was announced on February 27 by the President of the Russian Chess Federation Andrey Filatov.Spassky was a great personality, many generations of chess players learned and continue to learn from his games and work, Filatov told TASS.
"A great loss for the country. Condolences to his family and friends. Eternal memory," said the federation president.
Spassky was born in 1937 in Leningrad. After the start of the Great Patriotic War, shortly before the start of the blockade, he and his brother were evacuated to the Kirov region.
Spassky began playing chess in 1946 at the Leningrad Palace of Pioneers. In 1955, he won the World Youth Chess Championship and received the title of grandmaster.
In 1966, Spassky first competed in a world championship match, but lost to Tigran Petrosian. He became world champion three years later, beating the same opponent.
In 1972, Spassky lost to Robert Fischer and lost his world champion title. In 1976, the chess player emigrated to France, and in 2012 he returned to Russia.