Mikhail Botvinnik

Botvinnik, known as the patriarch of Soviet chess, played a key role in creating the USSR's domination in international competitions. Botvinnik, a three-time World Champion, also coached several notable chess players, including Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. His analytical approach to the game impacted current chess theory, and he is still considered one of the top chess players of the twentieth century.