How to stand out in a crowd. Can you spot him? Click for a bigger view. Probably the best chess player there has ever been.... maybe.. perhaps

Korchnoi, like Spassky, is from Leningrad. Born in 1931 he is only 6 years older and a playing contemporary of Spassky, but was seemingly often regarded by the Soviets as more "old-guard" and perhaps suffered as a result. A perennial contender for World Champion he never won it - probably the strongest player never to have done so.

He defected in the 70's and since 1978 has lived in Switzerland. He's the oldest active grandmaster. I think his longevity in the game (still winning tournaments - Montreal 2007) more than compensates for taking the crown which has so often been devalued by all sorts of political and manipulative shenanigans.

The old chess warrior, and a hero of mine from 1972 when I followed events from Reykjavik, and actually wanted Spassky to beat Fischer. This was taken a couple of months ago at a simultaneous exhibition in Zürich.

A large man, to my surprise, with a lot of presence.