He was a contender for the World Chess Championship from about 1935 to the mid-1960s . He came equal third in the World Chess Championship 1948 tournament , and equal second in the 1953 Candidates Tournament . He was a strong contender for the World Chess Championship from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s ; coming equal third in the World Chess Championship 1948 tournament , and equal second in the 1953 Candidates Tournament .