Matanović was junior champion of Yugoslavia in 1948 and awarded the GM title in 1955. He was Yugoslav national champion in 1962 (joint with Minić), 1969 and 1978 (he took second place in 1956 and 1959).[6][7]
His main tournament results included second place at the Vrnjacka Banja zonal tournament 1967, first place at Opatija 1953, second at Belgrade 1954, first at Hamburg 1955, first at Beverwijk 1957, tied for first at Buenos Aires 1961, first at Zevenaar 1961 and second at Jerusalem 1964. He had an Elo rating of 2490,[8] and was one of just a few living players in the world with Morphy Number 3. Following the death of Yuri Averbakh at the age of 100 on 7 May 2022, Matanović became the oldest living grandmaster.[9]
Matanović was the author of leading chess encyclopedias and the founding editor-in-chief of Chess Informant, a position he held from 1966. He was also a radio announcer and producer.
Death
Aleksandar Matanović died on 9 August 2023, at the age of 93.[10][11]