| I shouted: “Are you stunned?
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| They have dropped chess prestige!”
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| And they told me in our special department:
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| “That's great - you will fly.
 | 
| But keep in mind that Slate is very bright, -
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| He even sleeps with a board - strength is in him,
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| He plays cleanly, without blots ... "
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| Nothing, I'm not a gift either, -
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| I have in stock - a knight's move.
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| Oh you, muscles of steel,
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| My fingers are tenacious!
 | 
| Oh, carved, painted,
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| Wooden boats!
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| My friend, a football player, taught: "Don't be afraid,
 | 
| He is not used to such partners.
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| Don't worry about the rear and the center,
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| And play - straight along the edge!"
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| I leaned on running, hundred meters,
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| I lost weight in the bath, I sleep well,
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| There were hockey trainings...
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| In a word, after this preparation -
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| I'll crush him without a mat!
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| Only there would be palms
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| Absolutely not sick!
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| Oh you, my horses, horses,
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| Oh you cute elephants!
 | 
| I won’t say that it was without hitches:
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| Gossip, anonymous calls and calls ...
 | 
| I'm just annoyed by all this,
 | 
| Only fists itched!
 | 
| Someone scared: “You get a bagel!
 | 
| Slate can with his left foot
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| With the Capablanca chess machine,
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| He himself is like a clockwork tank! .. "
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| Let's see, I'm groovy too!
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| Everything will be quiet and deaf
 | 
| And for every time trouble there
 | 
| There is a strength of mind
 | 
| And a nice uppercut!
 | 
| "Do not rush and, most importantly, do not stoop, -
 | 
| So the boxer talked to me, -
 | 
| Do not go into close combat, work in the corps,
 | 
| Remember that your crown is straight.
 | 
| Honor of the chess crown - on the map, -
 | 
| He will not escape defeat:
 | 
| We played ten games with Tal
 | 
| In preference, in points and billiards, -
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| Tal said: "This one will not let you down!"
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| Oh, muscle relief!
 | 
| Strong back muscles!
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| Oh, you light figures!
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| Oh you horses and elephants!
 | 
| And in the buffet, closed for others,
 | 
| The cook reassured: “Don’t be shy!
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| Yes, with such a wonderful appetite -
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| You will swallow all his horses!
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| So take your skewers with you,
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| The main thing is food, old man!
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| But do not eat heavy figures,
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| For the stomach, those figures are fools!
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| Elephants are good for barbecue.
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| Oh, we are tough nuts!
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| Oh, let's bring the crown!
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| We go to sleep - like a pawn,
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| Wake up - queen!
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| <August 1971 - early 1972>
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| Other names: "Preparing for the match"
 | 
| "How It All Happened, or Preparation" |