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Mikhail Botvinnik, the ninth world chess champion, passed away in 1995 at the age of 85. He was born in Leningrad, Russian Empire, on August 17, 1911. He began playing chess at the age of 10 and won his first major tournament in 1929. He became the world champion in 1948 and successfully defended his title five times. He retired from competitive chess in 1970.