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Short Fiction · Character

Vassily Lysmov

A chess player or machine entity.

minor

Also known as U.S.S.R. The Machine, Poor old Machine, the Machine, Lysmov, The Machine

First appearance: II

Vassily Lysmov shows up with force in II. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Vassily Lysmov first appears in 0047 ii.

In II: Playing against Dr. Krakatower, having gained a pawn advantage.

Later, in III: Defeats the Machine in 27 moves by exploiting its programming limitations.

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Character Web

26 connections

A slice of how Vassily Lysmov sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

SLSandra Lea Gra…DPDoc PyeskovSGSimon GrueMAMaBGBela GraboVLVassily Lysmov

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Servant, nicknames, and chess entity
  • Core character ensemble
  • Doctor, narrator, and brassy female
  • Mysterious, religious, and sinister figures

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This moment is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the pro…

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In the story

Vassily Lysmov appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Vassily Lysmov in II