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Tigran Petrosian

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Chess Champ

The Resume

    (July 17, 1929-August 13, 1984)
    Born in Tbilisi, Georgia
    World chess champion (1963-69)
    Won four championships (1959-75)
    Edited the Soviet chess magazine '64' (1968-77)
    Nicknamed 'Iron Tigran' for his difficult to penetrate defenses

Why he might be annoying:

    His conservative, defense-oriented play was criticized as dull in the Soviet press.
    Bobby Fischer accused him and other Soviet players at the 1962 candidates tournament of collaborating by arranging draws against each other to increase the chances of a Soviet player winning.
    He was one of several Soviet chess players who signed a petition condemning defector Victor Korchnoi (1976).
    During a match against Korchnoi, the two players refused to shake hands or speak to each other, and insisted on separate bathroom facilities (1977).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was orphaned during World War II and had to sweep streets to earn a living.
    He lost much of his hearing as a youth and had to wear a hearing aid in matches.
    He said, 'They say my games should be more 'interesting.' I could be more 'interesting' -- and also lose.'
    He was credited with popularizing chess in Armenia.
    He was depicted on the Armenian 2,000-dram banknote (2018).

Credit: C. Fishel


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    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying