3-Year-Old Misha Osipov

Mikhail “Misha” Osipov, had never played on such a big a stage before–with a large studio audience on the Russian television program The Best, broadcast on the state-run Channel One.

Misha was relaxed. He greeted Karpov warmly, and complimented his showdown game with Viktor Korchnoi, which Misha had studied to prepare.

“It was a beautiful game!” Misha said.

Misha Osipov vs Anatoly Karpov

(November 2016)

3-year-old Misha played World Chess Champion (1975-1985) Anatoly before a live TV audience in Russia.

Misha had 10 minutes on his clock, Anatoly had 2 minutes on his clock.

Anatoly Karpov Offers Misha a Draw!

Fourteen moves into the game and equal in time, Karpov was ahead a single pawn.

Graciously, Anatoly offered Misha a draw.

“Nyet,” Misha responded, and continued to move.

A few moves later, Misha’s time on his clock expired.

“You’ve lost on time,” Anatoly told Misha. “You had to accept the draw. Be more realistic about time.”

The Agony of Defeat

Misha shook Karpov’s hand, but his face crumpled into sadness. He stood from his seat and wandered toward the studio audience.

No longer able to contain his tears, Misha sobbed and looked into the bright lights and the audience before him, bewildered.

“Mama!” he shouted as the cameras continued to roll. “Mama!”

Mama Comforts

Misha’s mother rushed from the audience onto the stage and picked up the 3-year-old boy into her arms and held him tightly, wiping the tears from his round, cherubic face.

3-Year-Old Gentleman Shakes Hands

Despite the loss and the agony of defeat, Misha returned to the stage and shakes Anatoly’s hand. Then with Anatoly watching, Misha solves a number of challenging checkmate problems presented to him on a large overhead monitor.

A Bright Future

Misha and his parents look to the future with much hope and excitement, supporting Misha not only in chess but in all his passions and interests including engineering!

Vector Capital Partners
Signs
Misha!

One of the founders of the construction company, Sergey Dorozhkin, signed a long-term contract with the parents of Misha.

Misha’s various interests besides chess include mathematics, physics, astronomy and zoology.

In the Vector office, Misha immediately grew interested in models of construction machinery. He named each and every piece heavy equipment.

However, a chess board was of particular interest to Misha. And, founder Sergey Dorozhkin couldn’t resist playing a game of chess with Misha the prodigy!

Learn to Solve Checkmate Puzzles

Like Misha
and
Improve Your Chess!

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Beginner’s Book – Chess Rules For Students

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Beginners & Intermediate Book – Checkmate! Ideas For Students

Checkmate! Ideas For Students is a workbook for beginning and intermediate students. Checkmate! covers the tactics used in checkmate attacks with clear explanations, diagrams and arrows to pinpoint the key features.

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