Definition

Proper noun: A former Russian (Soviet) chess grandmaster and the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1969 to 1972. He is renowned for his deep, universal, and positional style of play. He later moved to France.

Usage

The name is used to refer to the specific historical figure, primarily in contexts related to chess history, biography, and notable competitions. * Boris Vasilevich Spassky is best known for his 1972 World Championship match against Bobby Fischer. * The playing style of Boris Vasilevich Spassky has been studied by many aspiring chess players.

Advanced Usage

• The name can be used metonymically to represent classical, universal chess understanding from the mid-20th century.
  • His approach to the opening was very much in the style of Spassky.

Variants and Related Words

• Spassky: A common shortened form of the full name.
  • Spassky defeated Tigran Petrosian to become world champion.

Synonyms

• The World Champion (1969-1972)
• The Russian (Soviet) Grandmaster

Related Phrases/Idioms

• The Spassky-Fischer match: Refers specifically to the 1972 World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, a landmark event in chess history that transcended the game and became a Cold War symbol.
  • The drama of the Spassky-Fischer match captivated the world.

Noun

1. Russian chess master who moved to Paris; world champion from 1969 to 1972 (born in 1937)