207. To HIS BROTHER

First published in 1931 in Lenin’s Letters to Relatives. Sent from Paris to Mikhnevo, Serpukhov Uyezd, Moscow Gubernia. Printed from the original. · page 455 · Translated by The Late George H. Hanna

February 17, 1910

Dear Mitya,

I have received your problem^[1] and got quite “worked up” about chess—I had forgotten literally everything. It must be a year since I played and, in general, during the past few years I have only played a few lightning or very rapid games. I solved your problem easily—R(Q8)—Q6. But I saw a problem in Rech today that I could not solve at once and which I liked very much (the issue of February 1 No. 31 (1269), study No. 195). This is the position.

White: K(KKt3), Kt(KKtl), B(K7), P(KR5), P(Q3)

Black: K(K6), P(KR2), P(Q4), P(QR7) (i.e., the last pawn is within one move of becoming a queen). White to play and win. Beautiful bit of work!

How goes the convalescence? Are the leg and the shoulder both better? Will you soon start walking and driving again?

All the best,
Yours,
V.U.

[1] See Letter No. 205.—Ed.