A Tribute to Mikhail Tal "The Magician from Riga"-8th World Champion of Chess From 1960 to 1961

The late Mikhail Tal (Nov.9th 1936-June 28th 1992) or Misha as he was affectionately called was known for his combinative flair, insatiable appetite for chess, and warm likeable personality which makes him a hell of a guy in my book. It's a pleasure to read about a man who treated the game of chess in a serious and professional manner while simultaneously exhibiting an ability to have a light hearted attitude towards it.

"His enthusiasm for the game he loved was unquenchable,In his later years he was afflicted by severe health problems which would have crushed a lesser man,but he never complained about his difficulties and continued to play chess right up to his death.Misha hated to postpone a game;even if he had to slip out of his doctor's grasp,he would try to make it somehow."
- Pg. 6 of The Life And Games Of Mikhail Tal-Everyman Chess Edition.

What a wonderful passion for Cassia!

"Generosity of spirit was natural to Tal.He seemed interested only in creating the fantastic on the chessboard,not in using the influence his achievements could have given him to wield power among his colleagues.Unlike many of his fellow chess Olympians,he remained unpresuming,accessible and good humored,willing to play chess with all comers.When other world champions would be too conscious of their ranking to indulge relative patzers,Tal would play blitz with nearly anyone.Since the universal club tradition at speed-chess sessions is that the winner keeps playing and the loser gives up his place,Tal was often to be seen at the board with a long line of players queued up behind his opponent,waiting for their turn against the legend.When he was relaxing in a local cafe or tavern between rounds wherever chess took him,he was both celebrity and one of the group.Complete strangers would recognize him of course,and invite him to their table.It would have been more than enough to shake hands and be pleasant but Tal would routinely join the group,swapping stories,and sharing laughs.No wonder he was loved by the public.
-Three Days With Bobby Fischer and other Chess Essays: How to Meet Champions and Choose Your Openings by GM Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence pg.37-38

It's truly a tragedy that heavy consumption of acholol and frequent smoking likely led to an early demise at age 56 for this terror on the chessboard.These bouts of ill health and kidney problems were thankfully never able to diminish his passion for the royal game and he continued to create interesting pieces on the board right up to his death.

Thank you Misha for your exciting play at the board and passionate commitment to chess!

R.I.P. Mikhail Tal