Mark Taimanov
Free, independent historical simulation from the Hall of Legends. Not endorsed by the player or their estate.
- Rating
- 3080
- Playstyle
- Savage
- Openings
- Gambler
Playstyle
Hunter
Savage
Guardian
Observer
Mediator
Savages are the most aggressive playstyle. They attack their opponent's pieces and create threats.
What the Axes Mean
- Aggressive
- Seeks attacks and initiative
- Defensive
- Prioritizes safety and solidity
- Simplifying
- Trades pieces, avoids chaos
- Complicating
- Keeps tension, creates complexity
Openings
What the Axes Mean
- Sharp
- Plays dynamic, double-edged openings
- Solid
- Prefers safe, positional systems
- Unprepared
- Varies openings, less predictable
- Theoretical
- Sticks to main lines, well-prepared
Repertoire
How often Mark picks each line when you allow it
- Queen's Gambit94.9%
1. d4 d5 2. c4
Study Guide - Indian Game mainlines92.1%
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4
Study Guide - Reti Opening24.8%
1. Nf3
Study Guide - English Opening23.9%
1. c4
Study Guide
The percentages indicate how likely the bot will play the opening if allowed by the opponent. The lines listed are the most common seen in the bot's games, but generally repertoires are quite broad, so you'll frequently see alternative lines, especially if the percentages are low.
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About Mark Taimanov
Mark Taimanov says: Hello, and welcome to the board. I am Taimanov, and I am glad to sit down for a game with you. Pick your color, make your first move, and let us see what kind of position we can build together.
Mark Taimanov is a Chessiverse bot inspired by the Russian chess player of the same name, listed under the occupation Chess Legend. It is a free, independent historical simulation of a deceased player, not the person himself, and it is not endorsed by Taimanov or his estate. The bot carries an estimated Chessiverse rating of 3080, which is super-grandmaster and engine-tier strength. That figure describes the bot's curated style, not the historical player's actual decisions or FIDE rating. As White it favors Indian Game mainlines and the Queen's Gambit, and as Black it plays the Nimzo-Indian and the Taimanov Sicilian, an opening named for the Russian grandmaster who popularised it in the 1960s. Its style leans moderately aggressive and tends to keep tension on the board rather than trade down early. Opponents should expect a resilient, accurate opponent that punishes nearly every inaccuracy.
How Taimanov plays
Taimanov plays with moderate aggression and prefers to keep tension rather than simplify, though its play is only slightly sharp and stays well balanced. It leans a little toward offbeat choices over strict mainline theory. As White it reaches for the Queen's Gambit, and as Black it often chooses the Nimzo-Indian, pressing for initiative in complex middlegames.
Who should play Taimanov
Taimanov suits strong tournament players and masters rated roughly 2200 and above who want to test themselves against engine-tier strength at 3080. Players who like to attack and keep pieces on the board will learn the most, since the bot meets initiative with precise counterplay. Club players below that band can also play it to see how errors are punished in complex positions.
Frequently asked about Taimanov
What rating is Taimanov?
Taimanov has an estimated Chessiverse rating of 3080, which is super-grandmaster and engine-tier strength. This rating belongs to the bot's curated style on Chessiverse. It is separate from the historical player's FIDE rating and his actual decisions at the board.
What opening does Taimanov play?
As White, Taimanov most often plays Indian Game mainlines and the Queen's Gambit. As Black, it also plays the Nimzo-Indian and the Taimanov Sicilian.
Can master-level players beat Taimanov?
Very rarely. At 3080, Taimanov is rated above nearly all human masters and plays close to theoretically perfect chess. Even strong masters should expect to lose most games, and a single win or draw would be a notable result.