Soviet chess player David Bronstein was born on 19 February 1924 in Bila Tserkva. His peak World ranking: 1st (in 19 different months between June 1950 and December 1951). He was considered to be one of the best 10 chess players between 1946 and 1959. According to Chessmetrics his highest rating is 2792.

During the World Championship cycle from 1948-51 he won the Interzonals in 1948 and qualified for the 1950 Candidates Tournament in Budapest. Here he won against Boleslavski by 7 ½-6 ½ and qualified for the Word Championship match against Botvinnik. He drew to 12-12 and Botvinnik kept the title.

Between 1952 and 1958 he participated in four Chess Olympiads representing the Soviet Union. In team he won gold all four times. Individually he won three gold medals and one silver (1954).

Interesting facts:

He was a recognised chess writer and wrote several books and articles on chess.

He died on 5 December 2006 in Minsk due to complications caused by his high blood pressure. He was 82 years old.