♟ 100 Years of Checkmate: Celebrating International Chess Day Established by the International Chess Federation #OTD in 1924
Chess is one of the most ancient, intellectual and cultural games, with a combination of sport, scientific thinking and elements of art. As an affordable and inclusive activity, it can be exercised anywhere and played by all, across the barriers of language, age, gender, physical ability or social status.
🇷🇺 Russian school of chess enjoys strong traditions. The 2nd half of the XX century saw the USSR’s chess dominance. In 1948, grand master Mikhail Botvinnik opened the “Soviet era” in world chess that lasted up to USSR’s dissolution and onwards with a short period of R.Fischer’s championship (1972 – 1975).
👉 Follow the LINK to discover the list of the top 10 most legendary Russian Chess Players of all time.
#internationalchessday
Chess is one of the most ancient, intellectual and cultural games, with a combination of sport, scientific thinking and elements of art. As an affordable and inclusive activity, it can be exercised anywhere and played by all, across the barriers of language, age, gender, physical ability or social status.
🇷🇺 Russian school of chess enjoys strong traditions. The 2nd half of the XX century saw the USSR’s chess dominance. In 1948, grand master Mikhail Botvinnik opened the “Soviet era” in world chess that lasted up to USSR’s dissolution and onwards with a short period of R.Fischer’s championship (1972 – 1975).
👉 Follow the LINK to discover the list of the top 10 most legendary Russian Chess Players of all time.
#internationalchessday
📆 80 years ago, #OTD in 1944, Pskov was liberated from Nazi occupation as part of the Pskov-Ostrov operation.
It was carried out by the troops of the 3rd Baltic Front of the Red Army against Wehrmacht’s 18th Army and the 1st Air Fleet.
⚔️ By the beginning of the operation, Soviet troops defeated the Nazi forces of the Army Group ‘North’ as a result of the Leningrad-Novgorod strategic offensive, making them retreat to the Panther-Wotan defensive line.
⚔️ In mid-summer 1944, given the success of the operation ‘Bagration’ in Belorussia and the looming defeat of the Army Group ‘Centre’, Soviet command decided to carry out 3 coordinated offensives in the Baltic region – the Narva, the Rezhitsa-Dvina and the Pskov-Ostrov operations.
The latter kicked off on 11 July 1944.
🌟 During the operation, Soviet troops breached Nazi defence at the Panther-Wothan line, defeated the enemy’s grouping and took over the massive Pskov-Ostrov stronghold. Successful outcome of the operation facilitated Soviet advance on the Baltic and Leningrad directions.
🕊 The day of liberation from Nazi invaders – 23 July – is currently celebrated in Pskov as the City Day.
#Victory79
It was carried out by the troops of the 3rd Baltic Front of the Red Army against Wehrmacht’s 18th Army and the 1st Air Fleet.
⚔️ By the beginning of the operation, Soviet troops defeated the Nazi forces of the Army Group ‘North’ as a result of the Leningrad-Novgorod strategic offensive, making them retreat to the Panther-Wotan defensive line.
⚔️ In mid-summer 1944, given the success of the operation ‘Bagration’ in Belorussia and the looming defeat of the Army Group ‘Centre’, Soviet command decided to carry out 3 coordinated offensives in the Baltic region – the Narva, the Rezhitsa-Dvina and the Pskov-Ostrov operations.
The latter kicked off on 11 July 1944.
🌟 During the operation, Soviet troops breached Nazi defence at the Panther-Wothan line, defeated the enemy’s grouping and took over the massive Pskov-Ostrov stronghold. Successful outcome of the operation facilitated Soviet advance on the Baltic and Leningrad directions.
🕊 The day of liberation from Nazi invaders – 23 July – is currently celebrated in Pskov as the City Day.
#Victory79
📆 80 years ago, #OTD in 1944, the city of Narva in Soviet Estonia was liberated from Nazi invaders as part of the Narva operation carried out by the forces of the Leningrad Front of the Red Army.
The city had remained under German occupation since August 1941.
⚔️ Soviet troops crossed the Narva river and seized bridgeheads on its banks as early as February 1944 during the Leningrad-Novgorod Offensive. But the enemy offered stiff resistance and could stop Red Army’s further advance. Nazis moved up reinforcements including Estonian SS regiments and units of ‘Nordland’ division.
☝️ Both Soviet and Nazi command realized the importance of the Narva foothold which paved the way to the coast of the Gulf of Finland and the whole of the Baltic region, creating threat for the Axis ally Finland.
On 24 July 1944, following an artillery barrage, Soviet forces launched the offensive. Land troops were supported by the 13th Air Army. Soviet fighter aviation destroyed Wehrmacht’s artillery batteries and manpower, delivered strikes on communications facilities.
🌟 On 26 July 1944, Narva was liberated with Nazis driven back to Tannnenberg defensive line.
#Victory79 #WeRemember
The city had remained under German occupation since August 1941.
⚔️ Soviet troops crossed the Narva river and seized bridgeheads on its banks as early as February 1944 during the Leningrad-Novgorod Offensive. But the enemy offered stiff resistance and could stop Red Army’s further advance. Nazis moved up reinforcements including Estonian SS regiments and units of ‘Nordland’ division.
☝️ Both Soviet and Nazi command realized the importance of the Narva foothold which paved the way to the coast of the Gulf of Finland and the whole of the Baltic region, creating threat for the Axis ally Finland.
On 24 July 1944, following an artillery barrage, Soviet forces launched the offensive. Land troops were supported by the 13th Air Army. Soviet fighter aviation destroyed Wehrmacht’s artillery batteries and manpower, delivered strikes on communications facilities.
🌟 On 26 July 1944, Narva was liberated with Nazis driven back to Tannnenberg defensive line.
#Victory79 #WeRemember
🇷🇺 Today Russian Airborne Troops also known as “blue berets” celebrate their professional holiday
94 years ago, for the 1st time in USSR, airborne troops were landed during the exercises of Moscow Military District.
The Russian Airborne Forces are proud of their glorious history and the names of their founding fathers and are known for maintaining loyalty to the combat brotherhood.
Throughout their history, Russian airborne troops resolved all the tasks set before them boldly and courageously measuring up to their legendary slogan “Nobody but us.”
🌟 We sincerely congratulate the “Winged Infantry” of Russia on its professional holiday and wish them good health, success and all the best!
#OTD #RussianAirborneForces
94 years ago, for the 1st time in USSR, airborne troops were landed during the exercises of Moscow Military District.
The Russian Airborne Forces are proud of their glorious history and the names of their founding fathers and are known for maintaining loyalty to the combat brotherhood.
Throughout their history, Russian airborne troops resolved all the tasks set before them boldly and courageously measuring up to their legendary slogan “Nobody but us.”
🌟 We sincerely congratulate the “Winged Infantry” of Russia on its professional holiday and wish them good health, success and all the best!
#OTD #RussianAirborneForces
📆 83 years ago, #OTD in 1941, the heroic 73-day Defence of Odessa started.
Soviet Separate Coastal Army and the Black Sea Fleet, actively supported by civilians, withstood the advancing German-Romanian forces, including the 72nd German Infantry Division, the 4th Romanian Army and Luftwaffe.
⚔️ During the siege, city defenders repelled several strikes of the considerably outnumbering enemy’s troops (10 to 1 at the beginning of the operation).
⚔️ Fierce Soviet resistance covered the evacuation of civilians, cultural and industrial assets from Odessa, which was completed by 16 October 1941.
🕯 Right after the takeover of Odessa, Romanian forces supported by the Germans, carried out a massacre in the city, having shot and burnt alive some 25,000-34,000 Jews and Gypsies.
#Victory79 #WeRemember
Soviet Separate Coastal Army and the Black Sea Fleet, actively supported by civilians, withstood the advancing German-Romanian forces, including the 72nd German Infantry Division, the 4th Romanian Army and Luftwaffe.
⚔️ During the siege, city defenders repelled several strikes of the considerably outnumbering enemy’s troops (10 to 1 at the beginning of the operation).
⚔️ Fierce Soviet resistance covered the evacuation of civilians, cultural and industrial assets from Odessa, which was completed by 16 October 1941.
🕯 Right after the takeover of Odessa, Romanian forces supported by the Germans, carried out a massacre in the city, having shot and burnt alive some 25,000-34,000 Jews and Gypsies.
#Victory79 #WeRemember
📆 #OTD in 1856, Apollinarius Vasnetsov was born. Younger brother to the renowned painter Viktor Vasnetsov, Apollinarius carved out his own legacy as an artist, scientist, historian, and poet of Russian nature.
While he studied history and archaeology, his art focused on native landscapes and the old city of Moscow.
Growing up in the small village of Ryabovo in Vyatka province, Apollinarius was deeply influenced by his father, a priest with a passion for natural sciences and astronomy. His father’s love for the Motherland was instilled in his children, shaping Apollinarius’s own appreciation for the Russian North.
🎨 This deep connection is vividly portrayed in his masterpiece, “Motherland,” and in his monumental landscapes such as “Taiga in the Urals. Blue Mountain” and “Mountain Lake. Ural.” His epic vision culminates in the evocative “Elegy,” which won a silver medal at the Paris World Exhibition.
Apollinarius Vasnetsov's work continues to be celebrated by his admirers both in Russia and abroad.
#RussianArt #OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture #Vasnetsov
While he studied history and archaeology, his art focused on native landscapes and the old city of Moscow.
Growing up in the small village of Ryabovo in Vyatka province, Apollinarius was deeply influenced by his father, a priest with a passion for natural sciences and astronomy. His father’s love for the Motherland was instilled in his children, shaping Apollinarius’s own appreciation for the Russian North.
🎨 This deep connection is vividly portrayed in his masterpiece, “Motherland,” and in his monumental landscapes such as “Taiga in the Urals. Blue Mountain” and “Mountain Lake. Ural.” His epic vision culminates in the evocative “Elegy,” which won a silver medal at the Paris World Exhibition.
Apollinarius Vasnetsov's work continues to be celebrated by his admirers both in Russia and abroad.
#RussianArt #OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture #Vasnetsov
📆 #OTD in 1945, Japanese city of Nagasaki was completely obliterated by the second A-bombing, carried out by the US.
The attack on Nagasaki occurred just three days after the US carried out the world's first ever atomic bombing in Hiroshima. The bomb that hit Nagasaki, known as “Fat Man”, destroyed most of the city and killed tens of thousands of people instantly.
❗️ Approximately 74.000 people died from the bombing and its after-effects by the end of 1945.
☝️ This act had no military significance, as Japan was already doomed to a defeat, but was rather a show of force by the US and an operational test of nuclear weapons on civilians.
#Hiroshima #AtomicBomb #USCrimes
The attack on Nagasaki occurred just three days after the US carried out the world's first ever atomic bombing in Hiroshima. The bomb that hit Nagasaki, known as “Fat Man”, destroyed most of the city and killed tens of thousands of people instantly.
❗️ Approximately 74.000 people died from the bombing and its after-effects by the end of 1945.
☝️ This act had no military significance, as Japan was already doomed to a defeat, but was rather a show of force by the US and an operational test of nuclear weapons on civilians.
#Hiroshima #AtomicBomb #USCrimes
📆 #OTD, in 1900, the influential Russian thinker Vladimir Solovyov passed away.
✍️ Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov (January 28, 1853 - August 13, 1900) was a renowned religious thinker, mystic, poet, essayist, literary critic, and teacher.
🌟 He was also an honourary academician of the Imperial Academy of Sciences in fine literature.
Born in Moscow to the famous historian S.M.Solovyov, Vladimir was deeply influenced by his father's dedication and scholarly rigor.
👉 Solovyov played a pivotal role in the early 20th-century Russian spiritual revival and is celebrated as a key figure in Russian idealism. His work and ideas significantly shaped Russian philosophy and inspired countless intellectuals of his time. He is also credited with founding the movement of Christian philosophy.
#RussianLiterature #RussianCulture #OutstandingRussians
✍️ Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov (January 28, 1853 - August 13, 1900) was a renowned religious thinker, mystic, poet, essayist, literary critic, and teacher.
🌟 He was also an honourary academician of the Imperial Academy of Sciences in fine literature.
Born in Moscow to the famous historian S.M.Solovyov, Vladimir was deeply influenced by his father's dedication and scholarly rigor.
👉 Solovyov played a pivotal role in the early 20th-century Russian spiritual revival and is celebrated as a key figure in Russian idealism. His work and ideas significantly shaped Russian philosophy and inspired countless intellectuals of his time. He is also credited with founding the movement of Christian philosophy.
#RussianLiterature #RussianCulture #OutstandingRussians
🚀 64 years ago, #OTD in 1960, the Soviet stray dogs Belka and Strelka (Squirrel and Little Arrow in Russian) won themselves worldwide fame and glory after successfully performing a 24-hour Earth orbit on the Vostok spacecraft and returning back on Earth safe and sound.
🐶 The first canine cosmonauts were chosen from a wide selection of the stray dogs the scientists collected from streets and backyards. They were deemed the most suitable candidates, as years of life in the street had taught them to survive in extreme conditions.
📺 Several days afterward, Belka and Strelka’s flight was broadcast on television. The audience could clearly see how the dogs were doing somersaults in zero gravity. While Strelka was always stressed and on guard, Belka was enjoying herself, frolicking and barking.
💫 After the flight Strelka gave birth twice, her puppies being just as popular as their mom.
#RussiaInSpace
🐶 The first canine cosmonauts were chosen from a wide selection of the stray dogs the scientists collected from streets and backyards. They were deemed the most suitable candidates, as years of life in the street had taught them to survive in extreme conditions.
📺 Several days afterward, Belka and Strelka’s flight was broadcast on television. The audience could clearly see how the dogs were doing somersaults in zero gravity. While Strelka was always stressed and on guard, Belka was enjoying herself, frolicking and barking.
💫 After the flight Strelka gave birth twice, her puppies being just as popular as their mom.
#RussiaInSpace