Can somebody who speaks Russian and English tell us what the original Russian text really says?

"То, что врачи увидели в доме Василия Васильевича - это ужасно. Супруги были совсем одни. Оба больные. Седьмого февраля этого года Надежда Андреевна упала, а Василий Васильевич сам был прикован к постели. И никого рядом, кто мог бы помочь. Хорошо, что телефон у него оказался под рукой, позвонил, вызвал "скорую". Кругом - огромные коттеджи нуворишей. А у гениального шахматиста в доме крайняя бедность. Они тогда признались, что спасаются тем, что сдают свою квартиру в Москве и живут на арендную плату", - рассказали Lifenews.ru коллеги выезжавшей на вызов бригады.

Google translation:
"What the doctors saw in the house Golitsin - it's terrible. The couple were quite alone. Both of the patients. Seventh-February this year, Nadezhda fell, and Vasily he was bedridden. And no one near who could help. Well, phone that he was at hand, called, summoned an ambulance. "All around - great houses of nouveaux riches. And a brilliant chess player in the house of extreme poverty. They then admitted that they escape the fact that the rent of her apartment in Moscow and live on rent ' - told Lifenews.ru colleagues traveled to the challenge team.

ive just played through some of hes games he was up there with the best i dont no weather he was a quiet man but the chess world dont make much of a fuss about him like,tal,nimzowitsch,alekhine,capablanca,and most players which i found sad.but from what ive seen from hes games i will be reading more about the great man RIP.

 He wrote that "his father was about same age as Smyslov (born 1913)..." I guess that it's clear (?) that his father was born this year...

Smyslov was born in 1921, not in 1913.

I read most of the posts and it seems that Smyslov did not die poor (relative to the poor Russians around him, anyway), but that plenty of chess players do.  Perhaps setting up a benevolent fund is to much to ask, but maybe access to better information, financial advisors, that sort of thing, and under FIDE sponsorship.

Modern chess players spend A LOT of time studying chess.  It would be nice to give them some advice about the best way to invest their winnings, etc. a skill which they may not have taken the time to learn.....

everybody have their own story

We can only hope that something has indeed been mistaken in translation.  Whatever the case, I think the idea of a benevolent fund is worth pursuing by chess bodies, especially FIDE. 

As many have pointed out, there have been cases of suffering and poverty before among great chess players, but despite acts of kindness to provide relief on a piecemeal basis, there is no dedicated charitable source to draw upon.

The note says he was "poorly", which could easily be a reference to his health, and not "poor" which would reference his finances. The post by a family friend makes it clear his finances were not a problem. Russia did indeed take care of its legendary chess player. We shall all enjoy his legacy of games, and honor his memory.

If he truly did die in poverty like you say, then I agree with you on the fact that chess legends like him should be remembered long after their playing days are through, but the only problem is your 'benevelent fund' idea isn't entirely  practical, because what makes a chess player legend?  How do you draw the line between a chess legend and a great grandmaster?  The problem is, in most cases you can't.  And FIDE can't provide their own brand of welfare/medicare for many retired chess players, its just way too much money.  In the end, help would only be given to a few people and the selection of who recieved that help would be unfair.

I am from Russia, and my family and I personally knew Vasily Vasievich Smyslov. My father was about same age as V.V.Smyslov (born 1913). They were friends and lived in  a dacha in Moscow country side nearby. My father was a professional gitar player and very good amateur chess player and Smyslov liked to sing.

Smyslov did not die in poverty. The Soviets awarded him with a dacha in most prestigious and now most expensive neighbourhood of Russia. Barvikha (village Nov'). His house is very modest by today's standard, but it is surrounded by multimillion dollar mansions of Russian oligarhs and government thieves. The land is at least 2 million dollars.

He got the best treatment not only from Russia, but travelled to Israiel and other countries for medical treatment. Besides the dacha, he had an apartment in Moscow, again given by the Soviet government free, and of course, in the best area.

He was just too old, almost 100 year old.

Why somebody say he died in poverty?!

 Don't forget poor Karl Schlecter who almost dethroned Lasker. He died of starvation during WWI. Who cared??

it just shows that this life is a doggy dog world and that no one cares about the poor regardlessof who you are... it all about the money plain and simple...seems like too much times "champions" of chess and boxing find themselves dead broke...which means the "champions" are really losers without a pot to piss in, nor a window to throw it out if that's what it means to be a "champion" no thanks i rather be a loser on the chess board/ boxing ring and be a "champion" in life dollar dollar bills ya....

Rudolf Spielmann Is another famous chess player who died in adject poverty after fleeing the Nazis. He was know as the 'Master of Attack' and 'The Last Knight of the Kings Gambit'. He also wrote a classic called 'The Art of Sacrifice in Chess'

I suppose the fact that he had fled the Nazis added to his destitution.

Once again, everyone puts themselves first before others in times of need.  That is so sad.  What is wrong with the world... selfishness... thats what.

Most chess players are poor, because they devote thier time to chess, not to making money, which is the biggest illusion of all

I just wanna say about Smylov, he's chess player legendaries and he's a good player.

Thank you very much!

:)

By: kingOfChess999

notlesu--Janowski played in a tournament at Monte Carlo and lost all his prize money (he won the tournament) at the casino. He was an inveterate gambler and his sponsor Mr. Nardus made sure he didn't play at Monte  Carlo again. As you say Janowski died in poverty and quite young too.

You can tell the true measure of a person by how they treat those that can do them absolutely no good.

Love has been forcefully alienated especially in communist states, where there is no heart, but merely repression and oppression for power sake to destroy and suck the people of it's money. East/West Germany was the same, China, Cuba, etc. Israel/Palestine no difference actually.

Love must find a way back into the world communities, and can only be done through humanity, through active participation in love.

The Super Great Smyslov had a tremendous love for the chess game ! For love is the bridge in all you do, that helps you succeed. All done without love does not remain in existence long. Love unites, love binds.

So start loving and the world will adapt itself to love. It's time for a change !

Very sad to know about this,FIDE should indeed establish a fund for this ocassions.