SKU: 1900382194

The KGB Plays Chess: The Soviet Secret Police and the Fight for the World Chess Crown

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Description

The KGB Plays Chess: The Soviet Secret Police and the Fight for the World Chess CrownThe KGB Plays Chess is a unique book. For the first time it opens to us some of the most secret pages of the history of chess. The battles about which you will read in this book are not between chess masters sitting at the chess board, but between the powerful Soviet secret police, known as the KGB, on the one hand, and several brave individuals, on the other. Their names are famous in the chess world: Viktor Kortschnoi, Boris Spasski, Boris Gulko and

The KGB Plays Chess is a unique book. For the first time it opens to us some of the most secret pages of the history of chess. The battles about which you will read in this book are not between chess masters sitting at the chess board, but between the powerful Soviet secret police, known as the KGB, on the one hand, and several brave individuals, on the other. Their names are famous in the chess world: Viktor Kortschnoi, Boris Spasski, Boris Gulko and Garry Kasparov became subjects of constant pressure, blackmail and persecution in the USSR. Their victories at the chess board were achieved despite this victimization.

Unlike some books, this story has two perspectives. The victim and the persecutor, the hunted and the hunter, all describe in their own words the very same events. One side is represented by the famous Russian chess players Viktor Kortschnoi and Boris Gulko. For many years they fought against a powerful system, and at the end they were triumphant. The Soviet Union collapsed and they got what they were fighting for: their freedom.

Former KGB Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Popov, who left Russia in 1996 and now lives in Canada, was one of those who had worked all his life for the KGB and was responsible for the sport sector of the USSR. It is only now for the first time that he has decided to tell the reader his story of the KGB's involvement in Soviet Sports. This is his first book, and it is not only full of sensations, but it also dares to name names of secret KGB agents previously known only as famous chess masters, sportsmen or sport officials. Just a few short years ago a book like this would have been unimaginable.

Read this book. It is not only about chess. It is about glorious victory of the great chess masters over the forces of darkness.

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SKU: 1900382194

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Dr. Scott Williams
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfort and Appearance
Size: 9, Color: Black
The shoes were as advertised. Marc Joseph (I hav 4 other pairs) are the perfect shoes for me with my physical needs. Additionally they are exceptionally comfortable and attractive. This pair I returned because they weren’t quite the right fit for me. They are, like my other Marc Joseph shoes, very well made and very attractive.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026
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Francisco G.
Houston, US
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Very comfortable to wear.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2026
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Patrick
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 4
Ok in a pinch. Can get better shoes for the price. Wide aren’t wide
Size: 9 Wide, Color: Black/Black
These were ok comfortable. Would have preferred at the price point to be a little more comfortable. For being a wide size, the shoe was rather tight on my feet. Quality is ok. It passed for the wedding. Would probably have taken more time to pick something different if I had the ability to. This was a last minute purchase.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2025
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Damone A. Thomas
Lowell, US
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A must have in your shoe collection.
Size: 13, Color: Black
Very comfortable, very stylish, and in my price range gives me exactly what I was looking for in a shoe. Definitely a quality shoe. I’m 6’4, 309 lbs and size 13 shoe.
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Rodolfo Baca
Cuba, US
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very good and very fast service.
Size: 10 Wide, Color: Black/Black
very well made shoes.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2026

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