Mark Taimanov, Russian Soviet-era chess grand-master and concert pianist, Died at 90

Mark Evgenievich Taimanov was born on February 7, 1926, and died on November 28, 2016.

He was one of the leading Soviet and Russian chess players, among the world’s top 20 players from 1946 to 1971.

Taimanov was also a world-class concert pianist. Taimanov became a Grandmaster in 1952, and in 1956 won the USSR Chess Championship.

Taimanov was a World Championship Candidate twice, in 1953 and 1971.

However, Taimanov lost his Candidates match by 6–0 to Bobby Fischer, in 1971.

He excelled in team play representing the USSR.

There are several chess variations are named after him.

Mark Taimanov passed away at 90 years old.