Mikhail Botvinnik

Botvinnik was the first world-class player to develop in the Soviet Union. He also played an important role in the organisation of chess, making a significant contribution to the design of the world championship system after World War II and becoming a leading member of the coaching system that enabled the Soviet Union to dominate top-level chess during that period. His pupils include the world champions Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik.