Korchnoi became a chess grandmaster in 1956 and was renowned for his exceptional chess skills and passionate approach to the game. However, he is perhaps best known for his exceptionally long-standing rivalry with Anatoly Karpov for the World Chess Championship title. This rivalry became one of the most memorable in the history of chess.

The first match between Korchnoi and Karpov for the World Chess Championship took place in 1978 in Baguio, the Philippines. This match was filled with tension and controversy. Karpov enjoyed strong support from the Soviet Chess Federation, while Korchnoi was an opponent of the system favoring Karpov.

The conflicts between Korchnoi and Karpov on and off the chessboard were extremely intense. Korchnoi publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the match conditions and accused Karpov of political and chess authorities’ interference to support him.

The match extended to a remarkable 32 games, making it one of the longest World Chess Championship matches ever. In the end, Karpov won the match with a score of 6-5 and 21 draws. After that match, Korchnoi continued to allege that unethical tactics had been used to secure the victory.

Their second match was held in 1981 in Merano, Italy. Although Karpov once again emerged victorious, Korchnoi showcased his extraordinary chess skills and persistence. The rivalry between the two not only had a sporting dimension but also had political undertones as they represented different chess schools and ideologies.

While Viktor Korchnoi never succeeded in capturing the World Chess Championship title, he was a highly successful chess player with numerous tournament victories. His game was characterized by a deep understanding of openings and exceptional endgame technique.

His chess games left a lasting impression on the chess community, and many of them are studied and analyzed by chess enthusiasts and experts worldwide. Korchnoi also contributed to chess theory through his work on openings and strategy.

Viktor Korchnoi passed away on June 6, 2016, but his legacy in the world of chess lives on through his games, books, and contributions to the development of this beautiful game. His passion for chess and his abilities left an indelible mark and inspired many generations of chess players.