| I shouted: “Are you stunned?
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| They have dropped chess prestige!”
|
| And they told me in our special department:
|
| “That's great - you will fly.
|
| But keep in mind that Slate is very bright, -
|
| He even sleeps with a board - strength is in him,
|
| He plays cleanly, without blots ... "
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| Nothing, I'm not a gift either, -
|
| I have in stock - a knight's move.
|
| Oh you, muscles of steel,
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| My fingers are tenacious!
|
| Oh, carved, painted,
|
| Wooden boats!
|
| 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,
|
| And play - straight along the edge!"
|
| I leaned on running, hundred meters,
|
| I lost weight in the bath, I sleep well,
|
| There were hockey trainings...
|
| In a word, after this preparation -
|
| I'll crush him without a mat!
|
| Only there would be palms
|
| Absolutely not sick!
|
| Oh you, my horses, horses,
|
| Oh you cute elephants!
|
| I won’t say that it was without hitches:
|
| 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
|
| With the Capablanca chess machine,
|
| He himself is like a clockwork tank! .. "
|
| Let's see, I'm groovy too!
|
| 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, -
|
| Tal said: "This one will not let you down!"
|
| Oh, muscle relief!
|
| Strong back muscles!
|
| Oh, you light figures!
|
| Oh you horses and elephants!
|
| And in the buffet, closed for others,
|
| The cook reassured: “Don’t be shy!
|
| Yes, with such a wonderful appetite -
|
| You will swallow all his horses!
|
| So take your skewers with you,
|
| The main thing is food, old man!
|
| But do not eat heavy figures,
|
| For the stomach, those figures are fools!
|
| Elephants are good for barbecue.
|
| Oh, we are tough nuts!
|
| Oh, let's bring the crown!
|
| We go to sleep - like a pawn,
|
| Wake up - queen!
|
| <August 1971 - early 1972>
|
| Other names: "Preparing for the match"
|
| "How It All Happened, or Preparation" |