V. I.

Lenin

207

To:   HIS BROTHER

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.