Bronstein came within a whisker of the world title in 1951, drawing his match with Botvinnik 12–12. A highly imaginative player and author, he wrote one of the most loved tournament books ever, about Zürich 1953.
In 1951 Bronstein challenged Mikhail Botvinnik for the world title. He led with two games to go but lost one of them, and the match finished 12–12 — enough for Botvinnik to keep his crown under the rules.
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Ideas ahead of their time
Bronstein was a restless innovator. He popularised the King’s Indian Defence at the top level, wrote the classic book on the Zürich 1953 Candidates tournament, and argued for faster time controls and clock increments long before they became normal.
Did you know?
♞Fact #1Tap to revealBronstein drew a world championship match but did not become champion.
♝Fact #2Tap to revealHis Zürich 1953 book is considered one of the best chess books ever written.
Three lessons from Bronstein for your own games
1Imagination finds new resources
2Explain your ideas in words
3Stay curious about new ways to play
David Bronstein’s games
Watch the featured game replay itself, or pick any game below. Every game opens move by move with engine analysis.