Chess in the Cold War
How did Cold War tensions affect the 1972 World Chess Championship?
Section A: Plan of the Investigation
Through much of the 20th Century, the Cold War (mid 1940’s – early 1990’s) created a state of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. This tension was sustained through various fronts, such as the nuclear arms race, the space race, and political and military conflicts. This investigation assesses these Cold War tensions as perpetuated in the world of chess.
The peak of competitive chess during the Cold War was in the 1972 World Chess Championship. By examining the match, the conditions surrounding the games, and the players, this investigation assesses: “How did Cold War tensions affect the 1972 World Chess Championship?” This investigation uses sources from chess historians, as well as chess grandmasters themselves.
Section B: Summary of Evidence
In the aftermath of World War II, the beginnings of the Cold War saw to fierce competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. In the Soviet Union, the Soviet School of Chess emerged. This school of play emphasized daring, fast-paced play that came about through rigorous training and study of the game (Kotov). The Soviet School of Chess produced a generation of Soviet chess players whose international dominance would take the world by surprise. In the realm of chess, the start of the Cold War aligned with the birth of FIDE’s (World Chess Federation) World Chess Championship cycle. The emerging dominance of Soviet chess players was evident in their performance in these championships. From 1948 to 1969, the Soviets were undefeated, winning 10 consecutive World Chess Championships and ...
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In 1979, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, and the lessening tension between the US and the Soviets was put on full blast. Due to this, the hockey game between the US and the Soviets in the semifinals wasn't just any game. It was during the Cold War, a period of great tension between the US and the USSR....
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