Mikhail Tal - The Magician from Riga

Mikhail Nekhemyevich Tal, born on November 9, 1936, in Riga, Latvia, was a prominent Soviet and Latvian chess player, celebrated for his imaginative and aggressive playing style. He became the  eighth World Chess Champion in 1960 at the age of 23, making him the youngest player to hold the title at that time—a record that stood until it was broken by Garry Kasparov in 1985 and later by Gukesh Dommaraju in 2023. Tal's tactical brilliance earned him the nickname "The Magician from Riga" due to his ability to create complex and unpredictable positions on the board[1][3].

Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Tal began playing chess at the age of eight, inspired by watching his father. His first significant tournament was the 1956 USSR Chess Championship, where he shared fifth to seventh place. He won the USSR Championship in 1957, becoming the youngest champion in history at that time. This victory led to him being awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE, despite not having played in enough international tournaments to meet the usual criteria[1][4].

His remarkable career included winning multiple tournaments and participating in several Chess Olympiads, contributing significantly to the Soviet Union's dominance in chess during his era. Tal was a member of eight Soviet teams that won gold medals at the Olympiads from 1958 to 1982[1][2].

World Championship Matches
Tal's first World Championship match against Mikhail Botvinnik in 1960 showcased his tactical prowess as he defeated Botvinnik with a score of 12½–8½. However, he lost the rematch in 1961 by 13–8 after Botvinnik adapted his strategy to counter Tal's aggressive style[1][4]. Despite these setbacks, Tal remained a formidable force in chess throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.

Legacy and Influence
Tal was known for his daring sacrifices and combinatorial play, often leading to spectacular victories. His record for the longest unbeaten streak in competitive chess—95 games—stood from October 1973 until it was surpassed by Ding Liren in 2018[1][3]. Beyond his competitive achievements, Tal was also a prolific writer; his autobiography The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal* is considered one of the best chess books ever written[4].

Despite facing health issues later in life due to a lifestyle marked by smoking and drinking, Tal continued to play competitively until shortly before his death on June 28, 1992, in Moscow. His contributions to chess theory and practice have left an enduring legacy, influencing generations of players who admire his creative approach to the game[1][4].

Tal's immortal games :

Source :
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Tal
[2] https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Tal
[3] https://www.kompasiana.com/kitarakyatjelata/605b0edc8ede487dd9495422/belajar-gila-ala-mikhail-tal-sang-penyihir-dari-riga
[4] https://www.chess.com/players/mikhail-tal
[5] https://shopee.co.id/Catur-The-Life-and-Games-of-Mikhail-Tal-i.219070459.22683403140
[6] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chessking.android.learn.tal&hl=id
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3S7C6dKj6M