Who Is Mikhail Tal? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Mikhail Tal, born on November 9, 1936, was a renowned Soviet and Latvian chess grandmaster who passed away in 1992. Even as of 2025, Tal's legacy continues to live on in the world of chess. Known for his creative and aggressive style, he became the eighth World Chess Champion in 1960. Tal's strategic brilliance and charisma have left an enduring impact on the chess community, ensuring his place as one of the greats in chess history. His contributions to chess literature and mentorship also enhance his status posthumously.
Age in 2025: Tal would have celebrated his 89th birthday.
| Occupation | Chess Player |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 9, 1936 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Riga, Latvia |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | Latvia |
| Date of death | 27 June, 1992 |
| Died Place | Moscow, Russia |
Popularity
Mikhail Tal's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Mikhail Tal's physical dimensions were often noted, as he had a distinctive presence both on and off the chessboard. His height was recorded at approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm), and he maintained a weight of around 150 lbs (68 kg) during his peak years. While exact measurements aren't readily available, Tal stated that his dedication to chess often overshadowed his physical fitness routines.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Tal had a private life that was often overshadowed by his chess career. He was married twice; his first marriage was to his childhood sweetheart, and after their divorce, he married his second wife, who also had a deep appreciation for chess. In various interviews, Tal described his relationships as deeply intertwined with his passion for chess. Though details about any current romantic prospects in 2025 remain unavailable, his early life and relationships hinted at a man who treasured companionship.
According to his friend Gennadi Sosonko, his true father was a family friend identified only as "Uncle Robert"; however, this was vehemently denied by Tal's third wife Angelina. Uncle Robert had been a taxi driver in Paris in the 1920s and had lost all his family in World War II.
His mother, Ida Grigoryevna, was the eldest of four sisters; Tal frequently visited the Netherlands to see his aunt, Riva, and another of his aunts settled in the United States but visited Riga.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Mikhail Tal's net worth remains difficult to precisely estimate given the lack of live financial tracking. However, during his lifetime, he earned substantial prize money from chess tournaments and was involved in numerous chess-related business ventures, including publishing books and giving lectures. His projected net worth could be approximated at several million dollars, a testament to his extraordinary career and lasting influence within the chess world.
Tal was known as "The Magician from Riga", and his style of play was very aggressive and involved heavy calculation. His approach over the board was very pragmatic—in that respect, he is one of the heirs of ex-world champion Alexander Alekhine.
He often sacrificed in search of activity and initiative which is defined as the ability to make threats to which the opponent must respond. Many masters found it difficult to refute Tal's ideas, looking at how many problems he created, though deeper post-game analysis found flaws in some of his calculations.
The famous sixth game of his first world championship match with Botvinnik is typical in that regard: Tal sacrificed a knight with little compensation but prevailed when the unsettled Botvinnik failed to find the correct response.
Tal's style of play was so intimidating that James Eade listed Tal as one of the three players whom contemporaries were most afraid of playing against (the others being Capablanca and Fischer).
However, while Capablanca and Fischer were feared because of their extreme technical skill, Tal was feared because of the possibility of being on the wrong side of a soon-to-be-famous brilliancy. Although Tal's sacrifices were formidable, his style of play was very risky, contributing to his negative record against world-class defensive players.
These included Spassky, Petrosian, Polugaevsky, Korchnoi, Keres, Smyslov, and Stein. (Tal has a positive record against Fischer with his four wins from the 1959 candidates tournament, when Fischer was only 16 years old, but never beat Fischer again.)
Career, Business, and Investments
Mikhail Tal's career was marked by his explosive playing style and a series of ecstatic tournament victories, contributing to his fame. He became the youngest World Champion at the time and significantly impacted the chess community with his imaginative and daring moves. Tal was not only a player but also an author and commentator, providing deep insights into chess strategy through his books and television appearances. His dedication to chess theory and practice fueled his ongoing involvement in the chess community, influencing generations of players.
Alexander Koblents began tutoring him in 1949, after which Tal's game rapidly improved, and by 1951 he had qualified for the Latvian Championship. In the 1952 Latvian Championship, Tal finished ahead of his trainer. Tal won his first Latvian title in 1953, and was awarded the title of Candidate Master.
He became a Soviet Master in 1954 by defeating Vladimir Saigin in a qualifying match. That same year he also scored his first win over a grandmaster when Yuri Averbakh lost on time in a drawn position.
Tal graduated in Literature from the University of Latvia, writing a thesis on the satirical works of Ilf and Petrov, and taught school in Riga for a time in his early twenties. He was a member of the Daugava Sports Society, and represented Latvia in internal Soviet team competitions.
Social Network
Even decades after his passing, Mikhail Tal’s influence extends through various social media platforms where fans and chess enthusiasts celebrate his legacy. Profiles and discussions regarding Tal can be found across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit, where chess communities engage in commemorations of his contributions to the sport. Many chess websites and forums also feature sections dedicated to Tal, showcasing his famous games and style, thus preserving his legacy for future enthusiasts.
* This covers Tal's career post 1975, and can therefore be seen as a sort of sequel to Tal's own autobiography and games collection, which covers his career up to that point.
Education
Mikhail Tal's education was foundational to his chess career. He pursued studies in mathematics and engineering, which offered him valuable analytical skills that translated well to chess. Tal's deep understanding of patterns and strategic thinking was reflected in his gameplay, which often consisted of complex and bold tactics. His educational background also enabled him to articulate his chess philosophies effectively, contributing to his career as a chess author and educator.
As a child, Tal joined the Riga Palace of Young Pioneers chess club. In 1949, he played Ratmir Kholmov, a young master who had recently competed in the prestigious Chigorin Memorial in 1947, in a simultaneous exhibition. Tal used an imaginative combination to win his game at the age of 13.
