Soviet Union formed in 1922 through unification of four republics. Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 led to establishment of Soviet government. War communism (1917-1921) nationalized land and industry. New Economic Policy (NEP) allowed peasants to sell surplus grain
Botvinnik reached peak form in his forties, winning titles easily in 1947-48. He scored +14-0=4 in 18 games to win Soviet Championship. Botvinnik won World Championship with margin of three points. He played first of seven title matches at age 40
Born in 1878 in Gori, Georgia, to a poor cobbler. Learned Russian and Georgian while attending church school. Expelled from Tiflis Theological Seminary in 1899 for revolutionary activity
USSR established in 1922 after Russian Empire's dissolution. Union consisted of 15 republics until 1991. Russian language still spoken in most former republics
Slavic tribes settled in Northern Black Sea region in 6th-7th centuries. Rurik founded Kievan Rus state in 862. Vladimir converted to Christianity in 988. Yaroslav created first Russian law code in 1019