Mao Zedong’s chess set

In 1952, “the great helmsman” of China Mao Zedong presented this unique chess set to the best Soviet gastroenterologist and Chief Physician of the Kremlin Hospital Professor V. Vasilenko, in gratitude for recovery. However, on Vasilenko's return to Moscow in November 1952, he found himself entangled in the sadly notorious “doctors' case”. He was arrested right at the air stair and brought, along with his chess set, to the headquarters of the KGB. Having a strong character, the professor did not admit the slanderous allegations of sabotage, advanced by his colleagues, and spent about six months in custody. The confiscated chess set remained waiting for his new owner on the other side of prison bars. When Stalin died and the “doctors' case” crumbled, Vasilenko was released and… given his chess set back! Professor Vasilenko wished for his unique chess set to eventually become part of a museum collection. In 2014, thanks to Grandmaster Yuri Averbakh, that wish was fulfilled.