I grew up in the town of Airdrie in West Central Scotland, and learned to play chess before the age of 10. I began to play competitively at age 12, in the spring of 1979. During 1980-1989 I represented Scotland at every level from Under-14 to full international. In the early 1990s my professional career took me to the north-east of Scotland, and I gradually gave up over-the-board play. However, I have retained a strong interest in the game, in particular in its history and literature.
For as long as I can remember, I have had a particular fascination with Russian language and culture. Over the course of the past 15-20 years I have translated the annotations to a great many games from classic Soviet-era books, and periodicals such as Chess in the U.S.S.R, the Riga magazine ‘Chess‘ and ‘64‘. On this website I will share some of the results of my work with interested readers, so that the games and the notes to them might reach the wider audience that they undoubtedly deserve.
OTHER WORK
Since the autumn of 2019, I have authored a regular column – From the Archives in the celebrated publication Chess Informant.
In October 2019, Quality Chess published my translation of Grigory Levenfish’s memoirs . Further details on this are available here: https://www.qualitychess.co.uk/products/2/355/soviet_outcast_by_grigory_levenfish/. This was followed in June 2021 by my translation of Mark Taimanov’s memoir concerning his famous 1971 match v. Bobby Fischer: https://www.qualitychess.co.uk/products/2/401/i_was_a_victim_of_bobby_fischer_by_mark_taimanov/
As detailed in the pages of this blog, I also worked on the 50th-anniversary edition of the book on the Match of the Century for ‘Chess Informant’: https://sahovski.com/The-Match-of-the-Century-USSR-vs-World-p195740024
In 2019 I featured in Episode 128 of Ben Johnson’s popular ‘Perpetual Chess’ podcast. Interested listeners can access the interview via the following link:
https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2019/5/28/doug-griffin-chess-writertranslatorblogger
Soviet Chess History 
Hello Douglas, from Alan McGowan, Historian for Chess Scotland, and Cathcart CC member (though I’m living in Canada!).
Noted your interest in Soviet chess history while reviewing my photo collection for forthcoming book about the Berlin chess master Kurt Richter (1900-1969).
If you are interested in hearing more about this, and my research so far, please email me.
Hello Alan, please forgive me – I’ve only just seen this message – I haven’t been on my blog page for a long time. I remember you well, and I see your name on time to time on chesshistory.com! Hope all is well with you – wishing you all the best for 2017!
Hi Douglas,
I saw your lovely entries, and wanted to discuss the possibility of sharing this with the ChessBase readers. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Hello Albert, please accept my apologies for not replying sooner – I have only just seen your message today.
It might be possible to do something in the future, but I am in discussions with Quality Chess about possibly publishing some of the annotated games that I have translated. So in the meantime, it might be better to wait.
I’ll contact you again once the situation with Quality Chess is clear.
Best Regards
Douglas.
Hello Douglas, Did you study Physics at Strathclyde Univ? Robert
Rab! Just seen your message! It’s me alright. Long time no hear! How are things? Dougie.
Hi, Mr. Griffin! I am a chess lover who posts blogs on chess.com. I found your PDF with the annotations by Bronstein to the Kavalek-Bronstein game while looking for Kavalek-Bronstein images on Google Images!
The interesting thing is that I was just looking at this game earlier today, and am inspired to do a blog about it, but when I looked at Bronstein’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (2009 Edition by New in Chess), the game appears on page 162, with a few diagrams, but no comments!
I find the game to be quite special, because of this idea of counter-trapping White’s bishop on h6!
Anyhow, I am a big fan of Bronstein, as you can see from some of the articles in my blog:
https://www.chess.com/blog/kamalakanta
My question to you, Sir, is if I may be allowed to use Bronstein’s comments, which you have provided in the PDF document available.
My email is
Thanks in advance!
with gratitude, Kamalakanta
Hello Kamalakanta,
Please feel free to use the translation from my blog!
Best Regards
Douglas.
Thanks so much! I published a preliminary version of the blog,
https://www.chess.com/blog/kamalakanta/kavalek-bronstein-2-great-games
but will add your translated comments tonight or tomorrow!
with gratitude, Kamalakanta
Dear Mr. Griffin,
I’m writing to you by Alan McGowan’s advice. Almost two years ago I was managed to publish my book about Isaac Lipnitsky. Now I’m trying the way to translate and publish its English version. If I would know your email address I can tell more about this. I also am ready to send you a copy for obtaining more clear imagination.
With my best
Mykola Fuzik
Hello, Mykola.
I will send you a reply by E-mail!
Best Regards
Douglas
Omg. What an amazing blog/labour of love. I just came for a look following a strong recommendation from Daniel King on YouTube. And to find someone from Insch (my birthplace no one has heard of) as its author is weirdly satisfying.
Hello, Richard. Glad to hear you’re enjoying it. And hello from Insch. 🙂
Hello, Douglas. First of all, congrats for the quality of your work! I would ask you if it’s possible to use the photos which appear on Twitter for my historical articles on the site of Europe-Echecs which are free. In this case, I will of course mention that the photos are from your collection. Thanks for your reply!
Best Regards
Georges Bertola
Hello, Georges.
Thank you for your kind words!
Of course, it’s absolutely no problem for you to use the photos – after all, the images don’t belong to me; I have simply found them on the internet. I always try to indicate the original source and/or the photographer’s name – if you credit someone, it should be them!
With All Best Wishes,
Douglas.
Dear Mr. Griffin, I’m a chess pieces collector, and all the photos you share are very useful, thanks!
Although you are mainly focused in “soviet chess history” I was wondering if you have any detailed photograh about the chess pieces used in the capablanca-alekine match. I know that they are in an Argetinian chess club, but can’t any answer from them.
I appreciate if you can send me an answer to my email, thanks in advance!
Hello. I’m afraid I don’t have any relevant photographs. The best person I can suggest for you to contact is Carlos A. Ilardo (https://twitter.com/ajedrezcaichess?lang=en); he may well be able to help you.
Given the insatiable appetite for anything to do with Bobby Fischer, there would probably be a good market for an English translation of Taimanov’s short book in Russian “I was Fischer’s victim”. Just a thought.
Dear Mr. Griffin, just a short note of thanks. I am enjoying the “Soviet Outcast” book so much!
Levenfish was not only a great player; he was also a great annotator. His comments are so instructive,
I am convinced that anyone with love for chess can attain Master level by studying his annotations.
Of course, this can also be said about the games of other great players, such as Lasker and Chigorin, amon others, but Levenfish’s games have a richness of technique and chess wisdom that is not easy to match!
Again, thank you for your great work.
Kamalakanta Nieves
Hello, Kamalakanta.
I agree; he was a special player and a very fine annotator. I’m glad you are enjoying the book!
And thank you for taking the time to write these words – it’s appreciated.
Best Wishes
Douglas,
I find chess similar to music. I am an amateur in both fields.
In chess, as in music, you have different styles, and this goes beyond the generic, simplified recipes of “positional player” or “tactician”.
This is one of the things that fascinates me about chess; it is such a complete instrument for human expression!
It is quite amazing that given a chessboard with the standard amount of pieces, the game can be played in such different styles!
This makes chess definitely an Art, in my view. Besides the obvious sporting element of “winning” and “losing”, there is also the element of Beauty. Sometimes I delight in certain formations from the opening (such as the Black side of the Slav Defense, for example). And, of course, we also have the beautiful combinations and other expressions of human imagination and energy.
As in music, where you might like one pianist over another, even though they play the same musical compositions, so in chess, certain players charm me; their style is closer to my spirit. Alternately, some players I do not enjoy at all!
Chess also has a poetic side, a metaphorical side, in which life is reflected. Thus chess becomes a poetic expression of the battles that we face every day, and the beauty of the human soul in this daily strife.
My love for chess surprises me sometimes; it is, so far, something that will not go away, and it does not have to. Like the love for music, or art, it remains embedded in my heart. The connection is deep.
In this regard, I feel close to Russia and the ex-Soviet Republics- a connection through the love of chess.
I will tell you a short story:
the year was 1988. I was working as a manager in a health food store in Los Angeles. One day I spotted some men playing chess in a small park. They were Soviet immigrants. They did not talk much English, but they allowed me to play with them, and even commented favorably when I made a good move.
A week or two later I came to see them play again. But this time there was a “shark” there, a “player” who played only for money; a hustler.
As I watched, I realised he showed no respect for these players, who were all his elders. So I challenged him to a game. I wanted to beat him! He mentioned something about money at stake, and I basically said:
“No!” I do not play for money. I play because I love this game!”
When the Soviet gentlemen heard this, their eyes opened wide! They felt the same way I do!
I could go on, but this is enough for now.
The reason I am mentioning these things is that Levenfish’s games have a particular flavor that is highly appealing to me. There is a certain ornate richness in his moves and plans! And the way he explains everything, you feel you are in a Master Class!
I will treasure this book for many years to come.
with gratitude, Kamalakanta
Once again, thank you, Kamalakanta.
You are very welcome. Keep up the good work!
Dear Mr. Griffin, I just noticed the “Match of the Century USSR vs. World” book. Does this new edition have verbal comments, or are they in Informant (symbols) style? Thanks!
Hello! The games commentaries are verbal.
That is fantastic! I will buy the book! Thanks!
Hello, Mr. Griffin! I am a chess lover who does twitch / aajusti and I have an idea to start a blog on chess.com.
I loved your work and would like to share it on my chess.com Blog
My question to you, Sir, is whether I can be authorized to use the comments of your articles on your blog, which are posted I would like to translate them into Portuguese and share with the Brazilian community.
My email is luciano_justi@yahoo.com.br
Thanks in advance!
with gratitude, Luciano Justi Antunes
Hello Justi!
Please feel free to use them as you suggest. Of course, I’d be grateful if you credit my blog on your chess.com pages.
Best Wishes,
Douglas.
Dear Mr. Griffin, I have a question for you.
In 1958 Mikhail Tal defeated Bobotsov in a spectacular game featuring a Queen sacrifice.
The game can be found here:
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1139428
One of the comments to that game presents a quote from Jiri Vesely….
“I also saw how Tal defeated Milko Bobotsov. The day before, after Tal finished his main-event game, he played speed chess, one game after another with Nikola Padevsky, all of those games were with Black pieces, so that he could play over and over the same variation, which made everybody — and Tal most of all — giggle, because it was a variation where Black — that is Tal — always at the same place sacrificed his queen for two light pieces, just so, as if for not apparent reason at all, just so that there was some good entertainment. Of those speed games, Tal won some, lost some — of course, he was a good chunk of queen behind — and everyone around was taking it as such a clever jest, a form of handicapping self. Tal clearly wanted to amuse himself, and thus he ‘sacrificed’ his queen game after game. There was much mirth about it all around, even a swim guard was watching the circus, and a Bulgarian woman player, a beauty in tiny bikinis, with which Tal played speed chess the day before under the unusual rule that gave him a win only when the game was a draw.
Among the many spectators that laughed merrily about those funny games between Tal and Padevsky was also Bobotsov. He too had a great time watching it all. The next day came the time for their ‘serious game’ Bobotsov-Tal which was a part of the match USSR-Bulgaria. The opening was a King Indian and it was played in a lightning speed; it was clear how eager was Bobotsov to find out what had Tal prepared instead of that funny queen sac. And, right away, the position on the board was the one from yesterday speed games; and, right away, Bobotsov played that Nd5 and spectators gasped: Tal, without a flinch, grabbed the knight and sacrificed his queen, just the same as in all those crazy speed games of the day before. Even Bobotsov did not quite believe his eyes. He gave a bit embarrassed side-way smile and took the queen. The rest of the game lasted only a few moves — and Bobotsov did not get to play much.”
Jiri Vesely,
A good friend in chess.com states that Tal and Bobotsov had agreed, at the end of their blitz session the day before, to play this position in their serious game.
Looking for this game, I found that it is NOT included in “The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal”, where I was hoping to find Tal’s version of the story.
Do you have a source for Tal’s version of this story?
Thanks in advance!
with best wishes, Kamalakanta
Hi, Mr. Griffin, just a quick note to disregard my request. Another good friend in chess.com translated the text from the Russian version of “Attack with Mikhail Tal. One interesting fact is that this game is not found in the English version of this book.
Alexey Sakharov (Spektrowski in chess.com- https://www.chess.com/member/spektrowski ) provided this translation:
“At the Varna 1958 student olympiad, a group of participants was playing blitz (unlike the “adults”, we youngsters allowed ourself such “recklessness”). In a well-known position, I sacrificed my Queen a couple of times, following the game Zamikhovsky – Nezhmetdinov from the USSR championship semi-final in Kharkov that took place 1.5 years ago. I won both games quite easily, but Milko Bobotsov, the future Bulgarian grandmaster who also was in our company, openly mocked the correctness of this sacrifice. Of course, I rashly told him, “Milko, we can check it in our tournament game, if you’d like!”
And on the very next day, practically the same position appeared on the board in the Bulgaria – USSR match…”
——————————————
And after 11th move:
“In the game Zamikhovsky – Nezhmetdinov, the sacrifice was made one move later, after a pawn trade on c5. Here, the a1-h8 diagonal is not yet open for the g7 bishop, and this is probably better for White. I should also say that if White declined the “gift” – 12.cxd5 or 12.exd5 – then they would have lost all the remaining advantage from their first move.”
————————————
Interestingly enough, Gennady Nesis, in his book Non-Identical Trades, considered Tal’s edition of the sacrifice to be an improvement. Here’s his comment after White’s 15th move:
“The presence of the Black pawn on the d-file is beneficial for Black, and if White plays 15.dxc5, trying to at least get to the position from Zamikhovsky – Nezhmetdinov, Black doesn’t have to play 15…dxc5: they might reply 15…Nxc5, getting their Knight into play with decisive effect.”
Ah, OK – thank you! I had noticed your note and was going to reply when I had more free time, at the weekend.
I haven’t translated the notes to the Bobotsov-Tal game.
Hi!
I obtained the translation to Tal’s comments from Alexey Zakharov (Spektrowski in chess.com)
https://www.chess.com/member/spektrowski
Here is my blog post with the story connecting both games.
https://www.chess.com/blog/kamalakanta/unearthing-a-masterpiece-with-a-great-background-story-bobotsov-tal-1958
I really love Soviet chess!
Mr. Griffin, have you ever published Tal’s notes to the game with Bobotsov?
Thanks!
Saw your Twitter on the 1977 Portisch-Larsen match. I was there at the first game, and I remember the Salvation Army having a big rehearsal in a neighbouring room, with lots of trumpets, drums and singers. Portisch demanded at the 12th move that the game should be stopped and they moved to another place. Portisch won the game after all. It was news in all the Dutch newspapers the next day. “Army chases chessplayers away”.
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hi Douglas,
is there any particular reason why we are blocked on your twitter account?
Hi Stefan, I’m not sure – but I’ve unblocked the account now.
Thank you so much for undertaking and sharing these wonderful translations. My grandchildren wonder why I spend so much time hunched over my ancient chess board. Lately it has been so interesting to be able to compare the Russian annotations with annotations by other players in English sources.
Your translations for selected games in the 1964 USSR Zonal Tournament I have played over many times. Recently I obtained from the author a copy of Andrew Karklins book of the tournament. As one chess lover to another could I cap in hand ask if you would consider posting more translations from the Russian sources for this tournament.
Hi Freddy, thanks for taking the time to write this!
As for the 1964 Zonal Tournament, I’m afraid I’ve translated and posted all of the annotations I currently have available!
I’m glad you have been able to enjoy the material that I’ve posted!
Best Wishes,
Doug.
Hi Mr. Griffin. Do you know a book in Russian or English which has Romanishin’s games/analysis in it?
Hello there. No, I’m afraid not!
Regarding your recent tweet on the opening of the Groningen 1946 tournament:
The person you could not identify was most probably he mayor of Groningen, recognizable by his official mayor chain.
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieter_Willem_Jacob_Henri_Cort_van_der_Linden
The family name is “Cort van der Linden”.
Thanks. Someone pointed this out on Twitter a couple of days ago as well: https://twitter.com/JosKloppenborg/status/1369380436229713923?s=20
Dear Mr. Griffin, I have a question.
I have been unable to find a well-annotated version of the 11th game of the Karpov-Kasparov 1985 match, the one that ended with Kasparov sacrificing his Queen on d7
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1067187https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1067187
Do you have a well-annotated version, please?
It is one of the games I used as an example of Black experiencing white-square troubles in the Queen’s Indian Defense in a recent blog post I wrote.
https://www.chess.com/blog/kamalakanta/white-square-crisis-in-the-queens-indian-and-qgd-and-other-themes
Even in the book “The Longest Game”, by Timman, this game is provided with very scanty notes.
Thanks!
Hello. The only example I can think of is in Kasparov’s book ‘Dva Matcha’ (‘Two Matches’), which has been translated into English.
Hello ,Mr Griffin ,thank you so much for sharing ,we live closer to Insch ,my daughter loves playing chess ,is any chess club in Insch or ? Sad at school nobody plays chess ,wish chess was famous between children
Thank you ☺️
Hello Reyna! I’m not aware of a club at school, unfortunately. It is indeed a shame…
Hi Douglas,
My name’s Kyle, I’m a chess aficionado and professional Russian/Ukrainian translator from New York City. I listened to your discussion with Ben on Perpetual Chess and wanted to reach out in case you were interested in collaborating on a translation project. You seem like a lovely guy and I thought it might be fun and rewarding! I’ve done a lot of translating, editing, and research, and it would be a pleasure to work with someone else who shares the same passions. Let me know!
Best,
Kyle
Hello Kyle, nice of you to get in touch, and glad you enjoyed the podcast! I will most definitely bear you in mind when considering future projects! All the Best, Doug.
Hello Douglas,
Two books which I have enjoyed a lot are written by Igor Bondarevsky: Ataka na korolja and Spasskij sturmuet olimp. High quality comments to the games in both of them. I have long found it strange that these gems have not been translated into English.
Best Regards,
Björn Frithiof, Sweden
Hello, Björn. Yes, I agree, I think it’s especially strange that a translation of one of Spassky’s games collections has not appeared! Best Regards, Douglas.
Hello, Douglas.
Looking forward to studying your translation of Taimanov’s account of his Candidates match vs Fischer.
A small story about Taimanov: sometime around 1966 he went to a shoemaker in Leningrad to have a pair of shoes mended. When asked to state his name, the shoemaker said: Ah, Taimanov – you know, we used to have a strong chess grandmaster by that name in this city.
That’s when Taimanov realised that it was time to shape up his chess, which he duly did!
As anyone studying games from the Soviet championships in the 50’s and 60’s can verify, he was extremely strong, and the match against Fischer was more hard fought than you might think when just considering the end result.
Hello again, Douglas,
Now I have begun my study of Taimanov’s book (“I was a victim of Bobby Fischer”) in your translation.
A high quality book indeed! Taimanov comes across as a wonderful personality, and it is sad to learn about the treatment he had to experience by the Soviet authorities after the match.
By the way, I remember a news broadcast in Swedish television in 1994, when the first Karpov vs Kasparov match was to start. The reporter on site in Moscow described the great interest in the upcoming match, and also asked a few questions to Mark Taimanov. Listening to his explanations, I strongly felt that this was a man of high culture and of course a very intelligent person. For me, in the aftermath of the cold war era, it came as a bit of a surprise that people of this calibre existed there – naturally, I quickly realised how foolish such a prejudice was on my part. He made a strong impression, and this was just confirmed by reading his book.
All the best!
Hi Douglas, Might you know if the image on pg 183 (I think it is) of O’Connell, Levy and Adams’ The Complete Games of World Champion Anatoly Karpov (the 1976 algebraic edition, rather than the original descriptive one, before he became champion) claiming to show the ‘Trud Training School’ in 1963, with Botvinnik and Karpov sitting opposite one another around a board is authentic? Something about it (perhaps the almost sketch like reproduction) seems not quite right?
Hello Stephen, I’ve just had a look at the book. I agree, it looks like it might not be authentic but I have no way of being certain.
Dear Douglas !
My name is Christophe Guéneau. I am French and left hand (as you can see I cumulate handicaps !) so be kind to excuse my numerous english mistakes. I have to confess that I enjoy very much your soviet chess blog. I like also very much your writings in Chess Informant.
I may be wrong but I have the feeling that you appreciate Lev Polugaevsky because you have often good words on him. I knew him quiet well because for a while he was my father in law. So one day if you have some questions or remarks about him , contact me. I will be happy to exchange about him.
All the best !
Take care
Cheers
Hello Christophe!
Thank you for taking the time to post this. He was indeed one of my favourite players; I got his book ‘Grandmaster Preparation’ when I was 14, and it has been a favourite ever since. I was lucky enough to see him play in 1989, at the European Team Championship in Haifa. I might well take you up on this offer – thank you!
(By the way, we have something else in common. I am a French citizen! My wife is French, and after many years of talking about doing so, I finally made the effort and received my citizenship in early 2020.)
With Best Wishes from Scotland,
Douglas.
Did Pearle Mann from Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA serve as Assistant Arbiter in the Fischer-Petrosian match? If so, what documentation shows this?
It’s the first I’ve heard, but it’s perfectly possible.
Hi Douglas, I am Chye from Malaysia. I had some thought/questions for your great translated work.
1. If it is possible, kindly make your pdf more ‘readable’ fashion in mobile mode.
2. If it is possible too, kindly make a single download button for all games within the same webpage.
The pdf is not suitable for mobile read. I usually downloaded games from your site, merge them into one, cut out the white space, compress to smaller to put on mobile phone to carry it around and go through some games on phone. Some I even edit it and put in truetype font chess board positions. But this I do it for my self-reading, not sharing with anybody else. I hope you don’t fault me for that.
3. Is some of your translator join the Russian invading forces and fight in Ukraine?
I can’t support such site if it is.
Hello, Chye.
Regarding 1 & 2. Sorry, I’m not ready to spend any more time than I already do on making these translations freely available. Of course, you may do anything with them that you wish for your own use.
Regarding 3. I don’t understand the question.
Hello, Douglas
I was wondering if you would be willing to share the translation of all of Rubinstein’s games from Razuvaev & Murakhveri’s book.
Please E-Mail me if that’s the case.
Hi Karim, I’m afraid that wouldn’t be fair to the publisher of the translation of the book. (I understand that it is due to appear imminently…)
Hi
I totally understand. I just thought the project was cancelled since it’s been some 2 years since they claimed they would publish it.
I am glad to hear they are publishing it. Thanks for the info.
Hi Douglas…I really enjoy your regular Chess Informant column (“From the Chess Informant Archives”) and was wondering if there were plans to expand these, perhaps with additional columns, to a book format. Maybe from the first 50 or 100 Informants? Thank you.
Glen Hart
glen.hart@verizon.net
Hello Glen, that’s nice to hear. It’s not something that we are currently planning, although if there were enough support for such an idea, it could be worth pursuing – I must admit, I like the idea! I’ll mention it to my colleagues in Belgrade and see what they say.
Dear MrGriffin, I am new editor in chief in Chess Informant and I kindly ask you to contact me on email I wrote
Hello, Mr Pavlovic. I don’t see your E-mail address but you can contact me via cul.mor@btopenworld.com. Best Regards, Douglas.