Boris Vasilievich Spassky (Russian: Бори́с Васи́льевич Спа́сский; born January 30, 1937) is a Russian chess grandmaster. He was the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1969 to 1972. He is the oldest living former world champion.
Spassky won the Soviet Chess Championship twice outright (1961, 1973), and twice lost in playoffs (1956, 1963), after tying for first place during the event proper. He was a World Chess Championship candidate on seven occasions (1956, 1965, 1968, 1974, 1977, 1980, and 1985).
Spassky defeated Tigran Petrosian in 1969 to become World Champion, then lost the title to Bobby Fischer in the World Chess Championship 1972. He lost in the semifinal of the 1974 Candidates Tournament to Anatoly Karpov. He emigrated to France in 1976, becoming a French citizen in 1978. He continued to compete in tournaments but was no longer a major contender for the world title. In 2012 he left France and returned to Russia.
Source: Wiki