# Vassily Lysmov — Short Fiction character guide

> Vassily Lysmov in Short Fiction by Fritz Leiber.

**Role:** minor

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

**First appearance:** 0047-ii

## Who they are

A chess player or machine entity.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/ii)

Playing against Dr. Krakatower, having gained a pawn advantage.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/iii)

Defeats the Machine in 27 moves by exploiting its programming limitations.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/iv)

Lysmov leads the tournament after four rounds with 3½-½, having beaten the Machine in an earlier game.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/vassily_lysmov
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters