How the Early Soviet State Turned Chess Into a Tool
A look inside the origins of Soviet chess culture. These articles trace how early USSR institutions and political leaders transformed chess into a tool for education, discipline, and national development, setting the foundation for decades of dominance in world chess.
Lev Psakhis (Лев Псахис)
From daring sacrificial play to sharing the Soviet championship with Beliavsky and Kasparov, Lev Psakhis proved himself on the board before becoming a respected coach. The article traces his evolution from “chess hooligan” to top‑ten player and influential trainer.