The Chess Hall of Fame: Birthday tributes - Victor Kortchnoi : The uncrowned King of Chess
Viktor Korchnoi: The Uncrowned King of Chess
Few players in chess history have fought as fiercely, endured as much, and come as close to the World Chess Championship title as Viktor Korchnoi. Known as "The Terrible Viktor", he was a warrior at the board, a man who defied the Soviet chess establishment, and a living embodiment of resilience. Born on March 23, 1931, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Korchnoi's career spanned more than six decades, making him one of the strongest players never to win the world title.
Early Years and Soviet Ascent
Korchnoi’s chess talent became evident at a young age, despite the hardships of World War II. As a teenager, he studied under Alexander Tolush, a brilliant but aggressive player who helped shape Korchnoi’s dynamic, counterattacking style. By 1952, Korchnoi became a Soviet Master, and in 1954, he won the USSR Chess Championship—the strongest national tournament in the world at the time.
The Soviet chess machine was a ruthless meritocracy, where only the most disciplined players, who toed the political line, could rise to the top. Korchnoi, however, was a rebel by nature. His aggressive style, built on deep calculation and resourcefulness in defense, made him a nightmare for even the greatest players, including Mikhail Botvinnik, Tigran Petrosian, and Boris Spassky. Yet, despite multiple Soviet Championship titles, he remained overshadowed by Anatoly Karpov, whom the Soviet authorities increasingly favored as their next champion. Below you will find a game that decided the 27th Championship of USSR.
The Long Road to the Title
Korchnoi’s first real taste of the World Championship cycle came in the 1968 Candidates, where he reached the semifinals before losing to Spassky. In 1971, he made it again to the Candidates semifinal but was defeated by Petrosian. Undeterred, he fought his way through the 1974 Candidates, defeating Petrosian and earning a title shot against 22-year-old Anatoly Karpov.
This 1974 Candidates Final was crucial. Karpov, an emerging star and the Soviet establishment’s golden boy, was pitted against the battle-hardened Korchnoi. In an incredibly tense match, Karpov edged out Korchnoi 12.5–11.5. When Bobby Fischer refused to defend his title, Karpov was declared World Champion, but many believed that Korchnoi had come just as close to being the rightful heir.
Defection and a Political Battle on the Chessboard
Despite his immense skill, Korchnoi was never truly accepted by the Soviet authorities. His independent spirit, sharp tongue, and reluctance to conform led to increasing restrictions. In 1976, while playing in a tournament in Amsterdam, he made a life-changing decision: he defected from the Soviet Union. This move made him an enemy of the Soviet state, and his family in Leningrad faced severe consequences. Korchnoi was effectively branded a traitor, and for years, his wife and son were not allowed to leave the USSR.
Yet, despite the immense personal cost, Korchnoi remained laser-focused on his chess. He continued his battle for the World Championship, winning the 1977 Candidates cycle and earning a rematch against Karpov in 1978.
The 1978 World Chess Championship: A War Beyond the Board
The 1978 Karpov–Korchnoi World Championship in Baguio, Philippines, is one of the most infamous matches in chess history. The Cold War tensions between the Soviet Union and the West played out over 32 games in a bizarre psychological battleground.
Karpov’s team brought in Dr. Zukhar, a Soviet parapsychologist, who sat in the front row and stared at Korchnoi for hours—an attempt at psychological warfare. Korchnoi, in retaliation, hired two yogis to counter the Soviet "hypnotist." The match also saw accusations of food poisoning, coded messages in yogurt deliveries, and a hostile atmosphere that went far beyond chess.
Despite trailing early in the match, Korchnoi mounted a brilliant comeback, winning three consecutive games to even the score at 5–5 in a race to six wins. In a dramatic final game, however, Karpov held his nerve and won, securing a 6–5 victory and retaining his title.
Korchnoi had come agonizingly close. Few in history had fought harder for the world title and failed to win it.
Final Attempt and Later Career
At 50 years old, Korchnoi refused to give up. He won the 1980 Candidates cycle again, defeating Petrosian, Polugaevsky, and Hubner, but in the 1981 World Championship rematch against Karpov, he was comprehensively beaten 6–2. By this time, Karpov had matured into a more complete player, while Korchnoi was past his peak.
Yet, despite never capturing the world title, Korchnoi continued playing at the highest level for decades. He defeated Garry Kasparov in 1982, and in the 1990s, he remained competitive, beating Veselin Topalov and other future stars. I decided to add a game against super GM Peter Svidler. The Terrible Victor was at his element, defeating the young superstar very convincingly.
Please note that the age difference at the time of playing this game between Kortchnoi and Svidler was 45 years! Even into his 70s and 80s, Korchnoi competed in elite events, playing with the same fire and aggression that defined his youth. He famously remarked, "I don’t believe in genius. I believe in hard work."
Legacy and Influence
Viktor Korchnoi passed away on June 6, 2016, at the age of 85, but his legacy is immortal. He is regarded as:
The strongest player never to win the World Chess Championship.
A symbol of fighting spirit in chess, defying age, politics, and circumstances.
A master of defense and counterattack, inspiring generations of players. His career is a testament to perseverance, proving that success is not always about titles but about the battles fought and the impact left behind.
As Korchnoi once said, "Chess is like life. To win, you must survive." Few embodied that truth better than him.
