In the history of chess, Ilya Stepanovich Shumov (1819-1881) occupies a peculiar place. He was a student and contemporary of the first Russian masters - A. D. Petrov and K. A. Yanish. Together with them, he laid the first furrows on the fields of Russian chess art. From the late 40s - early 50s, I. S. Shumov took an active part in the development of the ancient game: he successfully competed in St. Petersburg tournaments and matches, studied the theory of one of the debuts common at that time, compiled tasks and sketches, organized chess meetings and clubs, in a word, was a tireless organizer and propagandist of chess in Russia.