Alexander Kotov, one of the most robust attacking players of the twentieth century, came second in his first appearance in the Soviet Championship in 1939 and shared the first place with Bronstein in 1948. In his international debut in Holland in 1946, he beat both Botvinnik and Euwe. His greatest success was his overwhelming victory in the 1952 Interzonal. Recentlyy he has devoted this time to chess organisation and writing.