num_pages: 223
description: *****Short-listed for the English Chess Federation Book of the Year prize 2019*****Sally Landau born in 1938 Vitebsk Soviet Union was Mikhail Tals first wife a highly talented actress and singer. Sally and Misha were married from 1959 to 1970 in a period that encompassed Tals two world championship matches with Botvinnik as well as many of his greatest tournament performances.Sallys breathtaking story first published in Russia in 1998 and which has been reprinted multiple times is a memoir of her time with Tal with whom she remained friends long after they divorced right up until his death in 1992. Full of detail about Tal and their life together it is a tale of triumph and tragedy love parenthood sorrow jealousy betrayal and revenge. Colored by a historical and social background including the Second World War the Soviet chess scene Rigan high society the shadow economy in the Soviet Union and Jewish emigration it contains a fascinating portrait of Mishas mysterious family and is illustrated with photos from Sallys private archive. And it all just happens to be true
language: English
title: Checkmate! The Love Story of Mikhail Tal and Sally Landau
publisher: Limited Liability Company Elk and Ruby Publishing House