26 Facts About Nikolai Krogius

Nikolai Vladimirovich Krogius was a Russian chess Grandmaster, International Arbiter, psychologist, chess coach, chess administrator, and author.

Nikolai Krogius's peak was in 1967 when he ranked 18th in the world for a time.

Nikolai Krogius earned his doctorate in psychology, and specialized in sports psychology.

Nikolai Krogius coached World Champion Boris Spassky for several years, served as chairman of the USSR Chess Federation, and co-authored five chess books.

Nikolai Krogius was the co-winner of the 1993 World Senior Chess Championship.

Nikolai Krogius missed advancing from the Soviet semi-final at Leningrad 1951, although complete results from this are unavailable.

Nikolai Krogius competed in three Russian Championships: at Yaroslavl 1951, in his home town of Saratov in 1953, and at Rostov-on-Don in 1954, but complete results of these events are unavailable.

Nikolai Krogius was gradually working his way up through the deep Soviet chess hierarchy.

Nikolai Krogius made his first appearances for the USSR in team matches against Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, scoring 50 percent in both.

Nikolai Krogius earned his doctorate in psychology and specialized in sports psychology.

Nikolai Krogius served as part of Boris Spassky's team for his second world title match against Tigran Petrosian at Moscow 1969, where Spassky won a tight struggle.

Nikolai Krogius himself was still keeping up an active and successful tournament schedule during these years.

Nikolai Krogius placed 2nd in the Russian Championship at Kuibyshev 1970, behind winner Anatoly Karpov.

Nikolai Krogius scaled back his tournament play by the mid-1970s, playing only in occasional lower-level events.

Nikolai Krogius began important contributions as a chess author, eventually writing or co-writing five chess books.

Nikolai Krogius was the captain of the USSR team for the USSR vs Rest of the World match at London 1984.

Nikolai Krogius served as President of the USSR Chess Federation, and was the head of delegation for Anatoly Karpov's team for the 1990 title match against Garry Kasparov at New York City and Lyon, where Kasparov won narrowly.

Nikolai Krogius returned to high-class tournament play at the Senior level in the 1990s.

Nikolai Krogius stayed fairly active in tournament play until 1998, mostly at the Senior level.

Nikolai Krogius was married to Irina and they had two daughters.

Nikolai Krogius died in New York City on 14 July 2022 at the age of 91.

Nikolai Krogius was somewhat of a late bloomer by Soviet standards, although this was not that uncommon for players who lived through the Second World War during their formative chess years; other examples are Efim Geller and Semyon Furman, both of whom eventually became formidable players by their late 20s.

Nikolai Krogius had several failed attempts at reaching the Soviet final, and did not make his first one until age 27.

Nikolai Krogius was a middle-range player at the perilous Soviet finals level.

Nikolai Krogius's own playing style was often highly tactical in nature, and he defeated many acknowledged masters of tactical play.

Nikolai Krogius returned to the board after age 60, with some impressive results in Senior events.