How Ossip Bernstein Escaped Execution By Winning A Game Of Chess
Wikimedia CommonsOssip Bernstein in 1961.Who knew chess could save someone from execution? Incredibly, it saved chess champion Ossip Bernstein, who owed his life to the game after an encounter with the Bolshevik secret police in 1918. Bernstein may have made his living as a financial lawyer, but he was also a well-practiced and masterful chess player. In the early 20th century, Bernstein made a name for himself as a successful player, commonly ranking within the top five at European tournaments. But Ossip Bernsteins most important chess match would happen under horrifying circumstances shortly after Bernstein was arrested by the Bolsheviks and sentenced to die by firing squad. The Early Beginnings Of A Chess MasterPublic DomainBernstein began playing in chess tournaments in 1902 while studying for his law degree.Ossip Samoilovich Bernstein was born on September 20, 1882 in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire. As a child, he didnt play much chess. In fact, he didnt pick up the game until he was 19 years old, according to History Collection, and even then it was a hobby alongside his law studies. But Bernstein was good at chess. Very good. In 1902, he began to make waves among chess players when he triumphed at the General Chess Federation of Berlin, earning him the title of chess master. That same year, Bernstein got the opportunity to play against chess legend Harry Nelson Pillsbury in a blindfold exhibition. Pillsbury won the match, but that would by no means discourage the young man. Bernstein began competing at tournaments all over Europe. He took second place in the Kiev 1903 chess tournament, and tied for second and third alongside chess player Rudolf Spielmann and Horatio Caro, at another tournament in Berlin.Public DomainOssip Bernstein, circa 1909.From April 1904 to March 1906, Bernstein was ranked the ninth best chess player in the world. In 1906, he even tied for first place with Carl Schlechter at a tournament in Stockholm.But 1906 would also be the year Bernstein earned his doctorate in law from Heidelberg University. Though Ossip Bernstein continued to compete in tournaments, he also began to work in financial law in Moscow. There, he also met his wife, Wilma, and had two sons. Bernsteins professional life began to mirror the success he had found as a chess player, and he even started to accumulate considerable wealth. But then the Russian Revolution began. And Ossip Bernstein became a target of the Bolsheviks. How A Chess Match Saved Ossip Bernsteins LifeDuring the Red Terror, the Bolsheviks aimed to execute anyone with counter-revolutionary views. Bernstein, because of his career as a banker, was arrested by the Bolshevik secret police in 1918. It shouldve been the last time anyone heard of Ossip Bernstein. Bernstein and a group of other prisoners were lined up in order to be executed by firing squad for their crimes. But then something miraculous happened. One of the Bolshevik officers recognized Bernsteins name.As it turned out, the officer was a fan of chess. He knew Bernsteins name thanks to his success in local and European chess tournaments over the years. So, the officer proposed something a bit unorthodox.Public DomainA banner hoisted by Bolsheviks during the Red Terror which reads: Death to the bourgeoisie and its lapdogs Long live the Red Terror!!He challenged Bernstein to a chess match. If Bernstein won, he could walk free. But if the officer won, Bernstein would be executed by firing squad along with the rest of the prisoners. Bernstein agreed. Luckily, his skillful and successful history in chess paid off and Bernstein quickly defeated the Bolshevik officer. Bernstein was a free man but he knew he couldnt remain in Russia. After narrowing escaping execution, Bernstein and his family fled for Paris. His fortune was gone, leaving him to rebuild a life for his family.Ossip Bernstein Continues To Play ChessWikimedia CommonsOssip Bernstein at a tournament in 1946.Once hed safely arrived in Paris, Ossip Bernstein continued to compete in chess tournaments. In 1930, he placed second behind chess player Hans Johner at the Le Pont tournament. In 1932, he tied for fifth with Efim Bogoljubov at a tournament in Bern and won against Oskar Naegeli in Zurich. When the Nazis invaded France in 1940, Bernstein knew that his Jewish heritage would put him and his family in danger. They fled toward Barcelona, a treacherous two-day journey in which they had to hide in caves during the day to avoid police and border guards. They made it to Spain, but the Bernstein family was promptly arrested, and Ossip Bernstein suffered a heart attack. Luckily, Bernstein had some friends in high places he was treated and he and his family were allowed to remain in the country. He took a break from chess during the rest of World War II, but once the fighting concluded, Bernstein picked up his chess pieces once more. He continued to compete in tournaments for the rest of his life. Wikimedia CommonsBernstein continued to play in chess tournaments until he died in 1962.In 1950, the International Chess Federation began to roll out official titles. That year, Bernstein was awarded the official title of International Grandmaster. One of his more notable tournaments was when he tied for second with Miguel Najdorf, behind Ren Letelier, at Montevideo in 1954. By this point, Bernstein was 72 years old, and Najdorf felt that it would be too easy to beat him in a match. So, Najdorf convinced the tournament organizers to double the prize money. His plan failed and Bernstein bested him in a move that was so excellent, it won him the Brilliancy Prize at the tournament. Ossip Bernstein died in 1962 after suffering yet another heart attack. He was supposed to return to Russia to play in the 1962 Olympiad, but alas, the International Chessmaster never made it back home. That said, his most important chess match did take place in Russian territory. In 1918, Ossip Bernstein played for his life and won. After reading about Ossip Bernsteins life, see how Bobby Fischer went from a chess champion to a troubled recluse. Then, learn about Judit Polgr, the greatest woman chess player of all time.The post How Ossip Bernstein Escaped Execution By Winning A Game Of Chess appeared first on All That's Interesting.
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