CHESSMASTER

Although his true name was never used, one of the patients in the state psychiatric hospital near Leningrad was nicknamed "Chessmaster" for his obsession with the game. He had been an educated man, referencing Alexander Karsov's work on differential topology and stating medical information that suggested a high degree of medical training.

Chessmaster was housed in Ward K with both psychiatric patients and political prisoners including Dimitri and Lopat. There he spent his time playing chess, often against himself, and he became highly agitated and distraught if his chess set was taken away. On one such occasion, Dr. Suvarin, who delighted in tormenting the patients, had his chess set removed. MacGyver had been admitted to Ward K as part of his mission to rescue Alexander Karsov from the facility, and he faked a manic episode to distract the attendants and retrieve the chess board for him.

When Dr. Suvarin threatened to use chemical interrogation on MacGyver, Pete Thorton, and Natalya Petrovich, Chessmaster could remain calm no longer, and he seized the forbidden chess board and hit Dr. Suvarin over the head with it, shattering the board. Then, as Lopat bound and gagged Dr. Suvarin, Chessmaster calmly retrieved his chess pieces, and he proceeded to play a game against the doctor, without the chess board, making and explaining the moves for both of them.

Portrayed by: Marvin Kaplin

Cross Reference: Boris, Dimitri, Alexander Karsov, Lopat, Soviet Union, Dr. Suvarin

Episode Reference: A Prisoner of Conscience