Mark Evgenyevich Taimanov, an outstanding grandmaster, participant of the legendary candidates tournament of 1953, candidates cycle of 1970-1972, and Match of Century of 1970, passed away in St. Petersburg.
Mark Taimanov is a USSR champion (1956), five-time Leningrad champion (1948, 1950, 1952, 1961, 1973), Chess Olympiad champion (1956), four-time European Team Champion (1957, 1961, 1965, 1970), winner of numerous international competitions. He is also a prolific chess writer and theoretician; one of the most popular variations of the Sicilian Defense bears his name, and he also made large impact on the theory of the Nimzo-Indian Defense.
Aside from chess, Mark Taimanov was a professional concert pianist.
RCF expresses condolences to the family and friends of the grandmaster and pianist.
