Mikhail Botvinnik, a Soviet chess player and the 6th World Chess Champion, was born on August 7, 1911. Holds the titles the First Grand Master of the USSR (1935), International Grandmaster (1950), Merited Master of Sports of the USSR (1945), World Chess Champion (1948-1957, 1958-1960 and 1961-1963), Six-Time Champion of the USSR (1931-1952). Holds a Doctoral Degree in Engineering. Authored works on chess opening and endgame strategies. Developed a new method of preparing for a contest. After finishing with competitive chess in 1970, worked on artificial intelligence issues, developed the Pioneer computer chess program and led the Trud chess school which was attended by future world champions Anatoly Karpov and Garri Kasparov.
