28 November 2016

Mark Taimanov Passes Away (1926-2016)

RCF expresses condolences to the family and friends of the outstanding grandmaster and pianist.

Mark Taimanov
Mark Taimanov
Mark Evgenyevich Taimanov, an outstanding grandmaster, participant of the legendary candidates tournament of 1953, candidates cycle of 1970-1972, and Match of Century of 1970, passed away tonight in St. Petersburg. 

Mark Taimanov is a USSR champion (1956), five-time Leningrad champion (1948, 1950, 1952, 1961, 1973), Chess Olympiad champion (1956), four-time European Team Champion (1957, 1961, 1965, 1970), winner of numerous international competitions. He is also a prolific chess writer and theoretician; one of the most popular variations of the Sicilian Defense bears his name, and he also made large impact on the theory of the Nimzo-Indian Defense. 

Aside from chess, Mark Taimanov was a professional concert pianist.

RCF expresses condolences to the family and friends of the grandmaster and pianist.