Mikhail M. Botvinnik, a three-time world chess champion and one-time instructor of Garry Kasparov, died Friday, the Russian Chess Federation said. He was 83.
Botvinnik died at his Moscow home, according to a chess federation official who declined to be named. The cause of death was not immediately known.Botvinnik, an electrical engineer, was a master strategist who applied his scientific approach to the game and devised new methods of chess strategy and training. He held the world title for 13 years and won it for the final time at the age of 49 in 1961, reigning until he was beaten by Tigran Pet-ro-sian in 1963.
Vasily Smyslov, his opponent in three world championship matches, hailed Bot-vin-nik as both a great champion and a pioneer of Soviet chess through his school for promising players.
"He was one of the greatest players ever and had tremendous influence on chess development," Smyslov told The Associated Press.