Boris Vasilievich Spassky, born January 30, 1937, became the tenth World Chess Champion, winning the title with a 12½-10½. victory over Tigran Petrosian in 1969, and losing it to Fischer in 1972, in what was probably the most famous chess match in history. Spassky left the USSR in 1976 and settled in France, editing a chess magazine. He also travelled extensively, attending numerous tournaments as guest of honour. In 2006 he suffered a minor stroke during a visit in San Francisco. In 2009 he played a match against Viktor Korchnoi in Kalmykia, where Spassky owns a house. It ended in a 4-4 draw, with both players winning two games each. In 2007 he played a rapid chess match against Lajos Portisch in Hévíz, Hungary.

• ChessBase report 30.01.2007: Boris Spassky turns seventy