KENNEDY’S LAST MOVE

By chance , over the weekend, I came across one of those almost-hidden websites that can only be described as a precious gem: JOSEF’S SITE: ESSAY ON CHESS. How many do you recognize in the photo below?

JFK jr. (l) playing chess with his cousin Mark Shriver  Moscow 1975 LINK  

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”As fate willed, in 1975, the Kennedys visited Moscow University where they acquainted themselves with its chess club. Sargent Shriver, a well-known American political figure, was at the head of the family delegation. His wife, the older Kennedy’s sister, their children and relatives became members of this group. It was very interesting to all of them. John Kennedy Jr., the President’s son, was at the center of attention.

While foreign guests looked over many chess photos on display, and heard my explanations, two Americans stepped aside and sat down at the chessboard. The young John Kennedy Jr. and his cousin Mark, Shriver’s son, were engaged in a passionate chess battle. Many spectators watched their moves. “John is very capable in chess,” students whispered to each other. Some university grandmasters suggested that if the younger Kennedy would attend classes as a foreign student at Moscow State University, they would help him to achieve a high chess level.”

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ESSAY ON CHESS

 Josef Vatnikov (right) serving coffee to Tigran Petrosian

Josef Vatnikov died  last year at age 90.  Josef was an obscure international chess master whom my readers can be forgiven if they had never heard of.  I certainly had never heard of Vatnikov before this weekend (except  perhaps for a Geller-miniature where Josef was crushed in 17-moves).  But Vatnikov was much more than a mere chess player, he was a multi-talented individual. Born in the Ukraine, he enlisted in the Red Army at age 18 and fought as a paratrooper.

Surviving the war, Josef became a Doctor of Law.  A journalist. For more than a quarter of a century he was also the Chief Coach at the Moscow State University before moving to the ‘States.  Josef’s rich legacy is an amazing website and an equally amazing book, ESSAY ON CHESS which deals with episodes from his colourful life…