Masterpieces and Dramas of the Soviet Championships

"In this, perhaps the final work in the great trilogy so painstakingly constructed by Sergey Voronkov, we are regaled with reinforcement and refinement of crucial historical themes set out in the first two volumes, but also with new ideas and provocative suggestions. This book gives us not only some 76 games and positions; it contains around 220 photos and cartoons, many of which are published for the first time; splendid snippets of poetry and song which cut to the quick of what's really going on; and its text is still richer than in the previous works.

...

From the strictly chess angle, the championships covered here offer a wonderful feast. For these were the years when absolutely top players, who were still young, clashed with a new generation of 'young guns' that contained many of the players who were to dominate the world chess scene for at least two decades more (and in some cases for still longer).

...

I cannot end this review without stressing the immensity and value of Voronkov's achievement. He has sustained throughout the trilogy the theme of the interaction between Soviet history and the history of chess in the USSR. He has demonstrated beyond any doubt how the game benefitted from massive public encouragement, but also the terrible costs for so many players and their families... the tragedies, deceits, injustices and sheer suffering that so many fine exponents of the game could suffer, frequently for the most flimsy of reasons, and often enough for no reason at all." - Peter O'Brien, British Chess Magazine, December 2022

"This year, without question, Sergey Voronkov's Masterpieces and Dramas series has been the highlight of my chess reading. It was a privilege to review the exceptional Volume II in a previous column, and I am delighted to report that Volume III is every bit as good. Covering the 1948-53 events, Voronkov brings to life the beginnings of the golden age of Soviet chess, a period when a galaxy of pre- and post-war stars collided with Botvinnik, Smyslov and Keres on one side of the divide, and Bronstein, Petrosian and Korchnoi on the other.

Voronkov tells the story of these fantastic contests, drawing on a host of sources, as well as providing 77 well-annotated games and over 220 photographs, including many (particularly from David Bronstein's archive) that have not been seen before. As in the previous editions, Voronkov also excels at setting these contests within their broader historical context, in which Stalin looms large.

...

Voronkov provides many fascinating portraits of the players. To share but one, he quotes Viktor Vasiliev on Petrosian thus - Tigran 'got to Moscow in late 1949, wearing a light coat, summer shoes and with some chess books under his arm - that was his entire property.' From such humble beginnings, Petrosian's journey, which would ultimately lead him to world championship victory, had begun.

It is impossible for a single review to do justice to the richness of the historical sources, intriguing games and beautifully told stories contained within this book. I have but attempted to give a flavour in this review. If you are looking for the ideal Christmas gift for the chess player in your life - the three volumes of this series are what you are looking for. I would encourage everybody to go one step further and buy them for themselves. They are truly perfect, both for the festive season and any other." - Ben Graff, Chess Moves magazine, December 2022

"This volume covers the period from 1948 to the 1953 playoff match between Botvinnik and Taimanov and has the same heady mix of the horrors of the era, fleeting heroes lost in the mists of time and amazing chess! A wonderful read once again - 5 stars!" - Grandmaster Matthew Sadler, New In Chess magazine, December 2022