Letter to Vasily Smyslov from Galya Shumeiko Letter to Smyslov from Shumeiko - page 2

Letter from 6-year-old chess fan Galya Shumeiko to Vasily Smyslov written during the World Championship Match 1954. Galya is supporting Smyslov and wants him to become the world champion, but is disappointed in his play at the start of the match. She’s also really curious why he agreed to a draw in Game 3. Translation to English: "Hello, Grandmaster V. Smyslov! This is written by a 6th grade student Shumeyko Galya. I know how to play chess and I love this game very much. And now I am following with interest the World Chess Championship Match taking place in Moscow. I visited it only during the second game and forty moves of the first. I decided to write this letter to you because I want to ask you a question. I don't understand why you agreed to a draw in the third game. It seems to me that you had an advantage, and that advantage should have ensured your victory. If it is not difficult for you, please answer me (call 21-86-95, I am studying in the first shift). Comrade V. Smyslov, I am in favor of you becoming a champion. But when you lose the first and second games, and the second almost without resistance, in the third game, having an advantage, you agree to a draw (I don't know about you, but I think it was wrong to agree to a draw), and you lose the fourth again, then I was no longer thinking about you becoming a champion, but at least not losing shamefully. But now, after games 7-9, I have hope again. I especially liked the way you played Games 8 and 9. And when the 8th was adjourned, I thought, "Well, that's it, he's going to lose this one," but you managed to draw. And the 9th game – how quickly you managed to break Botvinnik here. In the 8th game, of course, Botvinnik’s time trouble helped you a lot. If you played all the games at this pace, you would surely become a champion! Well, goodbye! I'm waiting for your call. I wish you good luck!"