The Battle of Borodino was fought in 1812 in the Napoleonic Wars during the French invasion of Russia. The fighting involved around 250,000 troops and left at least 70,000 casualties, which is why it is considered the bloodiest of Napoleonic battles and one of the deadliest one-day battles in history.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankA symbolic chess tournament, "Live Chess," was held at the State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve.
A symbolic chess tournament, "Live Chess," was held at the State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankRe-enactors wearing historical costumes represented the Russian and French armies during the French invasion of Russia (known in Russia as the Patriotic War of 1812).
Re-enactors wearing historical costumes represented the Russian and French armies during the French invasion of Russia (known in Russia as the Patriotic War of 1812).
© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankThe Russian side was led by chess player and European champion Dmitry Yakovenko; the French side was represented by chess player and lecturer of the Higher School of Economics Mikhail Strovsky.
The Russian side was led by chess player and European champion Dmitry Yakovenko; the French side was represented by chess player and lecturer of the Higher School of Economics Mikhail Strovsky.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankJust like 205 years ago, the Russian “army” won, but this time on another field – a giant chessboard.
Just like 205 years ago, the Russian “army” won, but this time on another field – a giant chessboard.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankThe parties played the Immortal Game, a chess game known to all grandmasters, which was held on June 21, 1851, in London, during a break of the first international tournament, where Adolf Andersen played White and Lionel Kieseritzky played Black. The bold sacrifices made by Anderssen to secure victory have made it one of the most famous chess games of all time.
The parties played the Immortal Game, a chess game known to all grandmasters, which was held on June 21, 1851, in London, during a break of the first international tournament, where Adolf Andersen played White and Lionel Kieseritzky played Black. The bold sacrifices made by Anderssen to secure victory have made it one of the most famous chess games of all time.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankA re-enactor wearing a historical costume represents the French Army of the 1812 Patriotic War era during the Live Chess tournament at the State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve.
A re-enactor wearing a historical costume represents the French Army of the 1812 Patriotic War era during the Live Chess tournament at the State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankSimilar chess tournaments, where people and horses act as figures on a giant chessboard, were first held almost 100 years ago on Palace Square in Petrograd (modern-day St Petersburg).
Similar chess tournaments, where people and horses act as figures on a giant chessboard, were first held almost 100 years ago on Palace Square in Petrograd (modern-day St Petersburg).
© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankRe-enactors wearing historical costumes represent the French Army of the 1812 Patriotic War era during the Live Chess Tournament at the State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve.
Re-enactors wearing historical costumes represent the French Army of the 1812 Patriotic War era during the Live Chess Tournament at the State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankAccording to Vladislav Kononov, executive director of the Russian Military Historical Society, one real horse from the French side was absent – the animal was afraid of field guns shooting at military-historical reconstructions.
According to Vladislav Kononov, executive director of the Russian Military Historical Society, one real horse from the French side was absent – the animal was afraid of field guns shooting at military-historical reconstructions.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankYoung female drummers before the Live Chess tournament at the State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve.
Young female drummers before the Live Chess tournament at the State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve.