The story takes place in Leningrad during World War II. The protagonist is a young man named Artyom who works at a factory producing military equipment. He is a chess player and has a great talent for the game. The story follows his journey as he navigates the challenges of war and love. The Plot of the Book 'Шах и Мат' The book 'Шах и Мат' (Check and Mate) by Yury Dombrovsky, published in 1973, tells the story of a young man named Artyom, set in Leningrad during World War II. Artyom is a talented chess player and works at a factory producing military equipment. The plot revolves around his journey as he faces the challenges of war and love. At the beginning of the book, Artyom is introduced as a skilled chess player who spends most of his free time playing chess with his friends. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when Germany invades Russia, and he is forced to flee his hometown to avoid being drafted into the army. He finds himself in Leningrad, where he starts working at a factory that produces military equipment. Despite the harsh conditions of the war, Artyom continues to play chess with his colleagues, finding solace in the game during difficult times.

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