Mikhail Ivanovich Chigorin
(born Nov-12-1850, died Jan-25-1908) Russia, Mikhail Ivanovich Chigorin (also spelled Tchigorin, Tjigorin, or Tschigorin) born November 12, 1850, in Gatchina, Russia, was the first great Russian player. He influenced the subsequent Soviet School of Chess, which dominated the world in the latter half of the 20th century.
He played two World Championship matches against Wilhelm Steinitz, he lost once in 1889 10.5-6.5, and again in 1892 12.5-10.5.
Chigorin has many openings named after him, most notably the Chigorin Variation of the Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 Na5) and Chigorin's Defense to the Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6).
He played two World Championship matches against Wilhelm Steinitz, he lost once in 1889 10.5-6.5, and again in 1892 12.5-10.5.
Chigorin has many openings named after him, most notably the Chigorin Variation of the Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 Na5) and Chigorin's Defense to the Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6).