First Grandmaster of the Soviet Union

The biography explores the remarkable life and career of Boris Verlinsky, the first Soviet grandmaster, who excelled in chess despite being profoundly deaf. Highlighting his impressive achievements, the book details his victories in major championships and tournaments throughout the 1920s and 1930s, showcasing his sharp attacking style. It includes analysis of 130 games against legendary opponents like Capablanca and Alekhine, with annotations from Verlinsky and modern reviews by grandmasters. The foreword by Dmitry Kryakvin emphasizes Verlinsky's ahead-of-his-time play, likening him to later chess greats.