childhood
Born on 23 July 1931 in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now St. Petersburg, Russia).
Learned to play chess from his father at age five.
His childhood was "bitterly tough," involving World War II, the Siege of Leningrad, poverty, the death of his father, and his mother's mental health problems.
He survived the siege of Leningrad, one of the most brutal episodes of World War II, and is remembered as one of the best players never to become World Champion.
education
Attended school in Leningrad but his education was disrupted by the war.
He later studied history at Leningrad State University, though chess became his primary focus.
career
A giant of the chess world with a career spanning seventy years and over 5,000 recorded games.
Contested two World Championship matches against Anatoly Karpov, coming within a whisker of being crowned World Champion in 1978.
Won the Soviet Championship four times and the Swiss Championship five times.
Defected to the Netherlands in 1976 and later settled in Switzerland.
Ranked in the top 100 in the world at age 75 and was still playing competitive chess in his 80s.
Known for his fighting spirit, tenacious defense, and profound understanding of the game.
stories & anecdotes
Korchnoi's 1978 World Championship match against Karpov was one of the most bizarre and politically charged in chess history, featuring accusations of parapsychology, hypnotism, and even a yogurt controversy.
After defecting from the Soviet Union, he became a fierce critic of the Soviet system and a political dissident.
He said: "I love the Soviet Union. But I have become a warrior, a dissident, a man involved in a permanent war with the Soviet state."
He remained sharp and competitive into his final years, famously saying: "Sometimes, you have to be more violent."
quotes
"I love the Soviet Union. But I have become a warrior, a dissident, a man involved in a permanent war with the Soviet state."
"Sometimes, you have to be more violent."
"Chess takes energy, experience and imagination. But I have experience."
publications
Chess Is My Life — autobiography.
My Best Games (Volumes 1 & 2) — annotated game collections.
Korchnoi's 400 Best Games — a comprehensive collection.
Rook Endings (with V. A. Zak) — a classic endgame manual.
Play through Viktor Korchnoi’s games
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Editorial note: this profile was adapted from supplied research notes. Historical details and attributed quotations should be fact-checked before formal publication.