“REDS” PLAY “WHITE”: DIPLOMATIC ASPECTS OF THE 1960–70S US–USSR CHESS STANDOFF

Aim. To consider the diplomatic dimension of American - Soviet chess rivalry amid the advent of détente. Methodology. Based on the analysis of declassified documents, the article examines the motives for the involvement of Soviet and American diplomats in the problems that arose from the championship. Historic-genetic method and the method of critical analysis of historical sources are used. Results. The conclusion is made that Soviet and American diplomats deemed this event to be untimely. The unwillingness of the US to exacerbate ideological tensions around the championship is emphasized, as well as its steps to reduce the negative effects of the event. Research implications. The results of this research allow us to conclude that Soviet and American diplomats interpreted sports events in the macro context of the ideological confrontation between those two systems.