Vocta Pokratovek

Vocta Imiliv Pokratovek (Vojanak: Вoцта Имилив Пoкрaтoвек (zaszesz), Ვოჩთა Იმილივ Პოქრათოვექ (zajoç); born 18 November 1953) is a Vojanak, writer, political activist, and commentator. He is the author of Hole in the Wall, an ethno-nationalist novel that spurred ethnic and political unrest in the Republic of Voiana in the Zabregashian Union and eventually led to the Vojanak War in 1974. A chess prodigy, Pokratovek became a grandmaster at the age of 14 years, 11 months, and 20 days—the youngest grandmaster in the history of both the Zabregashian Union and Alutra at the time. He earned his grandmaster title in 1967, and in the same year won his first chess championship, a feat he repeated in 1970, 1971, and 1972. He won the Galvian Chess Meeting in 1972, 1973, and 1974, recording a 3098 performance rating, the highest in history at the top level, and improving his rating to 2850, becoming the second-highest-rated player in history.

In 1974, Pokratovek took a break from his chess career in order to start writing his famed work, Hole in the Wall, and would publish it in December of 1974 following the death of United Zabregashia Freedom party president Właßiediß Rađow. The book would become immensely popular and would become among the most popular books of the decade. The book's syndicalist views caused the Zabregashian Union to ban the book, and in February of the following year, Pokratovek was arrested and sent to solitary confinement in the capital Opnoch. Pokratovek remained in captivity until he escaped in 1991 with one other Zabregashian activist, both returning to Vojandzeka under the disguise of mail delivery personnel. After his safe arrival in Mazulot, he enlisted in the Vojanak army and fought until the end of the war in 2003. Pokratovek returned briefly to his chess career before retiring in 2006.

Since retiring, Pokratovek has devoted his time to politics and writing. In 2011, Pokratovek denounced the Galvian invasion of Kalvatăsz during the Kalvatăsz Crisis, and donated E$19 million szenjě (~Ꝟ1 million VTD) towards humanitarian relief and military funding. Pokratovek also campaigned for the 2018 World Chess Championship to be held in Mazulot, to which the WCC obliged. Since the conclusion of the war, Pokratovek has written five books, of which one is fiction and one an autobiography. As of 2022, Pokratovek still ranks No. 2 in the world for chess. In 2021, Pokratovek's autobiography was adapted into film format and released to theaters in December 2021.

Early life
Pokratovek was born in Sakzěluszmi, Voiana Republic—then part of the Zabregashian Union—on 18 November 1953. Pokratovek was born to an extremely religious family, with both his mother and father being devout Stroomists and running the local temple. Pokratovek has described himself as a "self-appointed Stroomist", although "very indifferent". His family had become desperately poor after his father's came out of remission, which forced him to quit his main income job at the Sakzěluszmi iron plant. Their low income eventually led to them not being able to pay for expenses regarding their temple, and the temple was bulldozed.

From a very young age, Pokratovek took a keen interest in after his aunt introduced him to the game at his local library. By the age of 7, Pokratovek could flawlessly beat both his mother and father in the game, and his parents quickly enrolled him in local talent programmes with the hope that he may earn money for the family. Eventually, Pokratovek's talent would garner him national attention as a chess prodigy, and would quickly become the family's main income source. Pokratovek was entering chess competitions and partaking in radio station talkshows by the age of 9, and at the age of 10 Pokratovek was offered a trip to Edury with all expenses paid for.

He first qualified for the Alutran Chess Championship at age 13 in 1966, the youngest-ever player at that level. He won the 64-player Lathadun system tournament at Mazulot on tiebreak over Lathadun Hugen Corris to capture the sole qualifying place.

Because of the amount of time taken up by chess, Pokratovek was pressured to finish Lădacu (Secondary school) early. At the age of 14, Pokratovek graduated from Lădacu, and 6 months later, Pokratovek was the youngest man to ever earn the title of chess grandmaster at 14 years, 11 months, and 20 days in 1967 at the Eižens III Memorial tournament in Antonija. He had been invited as an exception but took first place and became a chess grandmaster. Pokratovek has repeatedly said that this event was a turning point in his life and that it convinced him to choose chess as his career. "I will remember the Eižens III Memorial as long as I live", he wrote. He has also said that after the victory, he thought he had a very good shot at the World Championship.

Chess career
As a teenager, Pokratovek tied for first place in the Zabregashian Chess Championship in 1970–71. His first win in a superclass-level international tournament was scored at Denkev, Gladomyr in 1972. He earned a place in the 1972 Antonija Interzonal tournament, which he won, to qualify for the Candidates Tournament. At age 19, he was already the No. 2-rated player in the world, trailing only World Chess Champion Ingomar Bohler on the January 1973 list.

In January 1973, Pokratovek became the No. 1 ranked player in the world, with a rating of 2710. He became the youngest ever world No. 1, a record that lasted 13 years until being broken by Ingomar Bohler in January 1987.

Later in 1973, he won the Candidates' final 8½–4½ (four wins, no losses) against the resurgent former world champion Salomon Rantanen, at Monstad, thus qualifying to play Ingomar Bohler for the World Championship. That year he began his public rebuking of the Zabregashian government, saying that he as a Vojanak was discriminated against multiple times, and that Voiana has "no reason to still be a part of the deep buff, human rights breaking state that is the Zabregashian Union". He also enrolled in a deep blue syndicalist club, since any blue political parties were outlawed by the Zabregashian government—though this law was later revoked that year, setting the stage for the first multiparty elections in the country.

World Champion
The Bohler–Pokratovek match in 1974 was organized in Opnoch as the best of 24 games where the first player to win 12½ points would claim the World Champion title. The scores from the terminated match would not carry over; however, in the event of a 12–12 draw, the title would remain with Bohler. On 9 November 1974, Pokratovek secured the title by a score of 13–11, winning the 24th game with White, using an Akerlandic defence. He was 21 years old at the time, making him the youngest ever World Champion and breaking the record held by Risto Salona for over 20 years. Pokratovek's win as White in the 16th game has been recognized as one of the all-time masterpieces in chess history, including being voted the best game played during the first 64 issues of the magazine Chess Informant.

Pokratovek received worldwide attention for his win against reigning champion Bohler, and was offered multiple international trips across the globe. Pokratovek attended shows in Koranel, Velorenkya, Riyata, Gemurtrak, and more.

Hole in the Wall
Just two weeks after Pokratovek's victory against Bohler, Pokratovek announced that he would be taking a break from his chess career in order to follow a secondary passion of his; that being writing. After his announcement, Pokratovek went on to further rebuke the Zabregashian government by saying that "On multiple occasions, I was either admonished against or flat-out denied my name on competition announcements and participating in Zabregashian-sponsored events, for the sole reason that I am a Vojanak [...] it was too not regulated to ZUOVA, but in Galvia and her own sycophants as well. It was once, I was in a competition in Antonija, and my Galvian opponent whispered in my ear 'You'll be no challenge at all. You're a Vojanak.'"

While most of Pokratovek's followers expected his first book to be about his own chess career, Pokratovek instead wrote of Vojanak oppression in the Zabregashian Union. Just one month before Pokratovek's book Hole in the Wall was completed, United Zabregashia Freedom party president Właßiediß Rađow died in-office. The publishing of the book soon after quickly garnered attention during the presidential unrest in the union, and it soon became incredibly popular. The book would go on to sell nearly 600,000 copies, mostly within in the Republic of Voiana. Soon, the book caught the attention of new Zabregashian president Koȝewesz Krieniñ, who was put into office after the book's publishing. Pokratovek purportedly knew that the book may attract unwanted attention, and had therefore already covered up his trail; abandoning his home in Sakzěluszmi and fleeing to Jaçoko in eastern Voiana, where he stayed at a friend's apartment.

The book's immense popularity soon showed in the populace's mindset. The book would come to start an "ethno-renaissance" in the Republic, and spin-off books and news articles began to be published. Protests also began in Zabregashian cities such as Opnoch, and outside governmental buildings in Mazulot and other large cities in Voiana. People began to mirror Pokratovek's thoughts displayed in his book, and independence became an increasingly popular idea within the Vojanak population. Krieniñ, flustered at the sudden cries for independence, attempted to stifle the protesters' pleas. Krieniñ sent armed guards to attempt to disperse protests, but this only led to more protesters. Governmental buildings within all large cities in the nation began to shut down, and unrest was at an all-time high. The writings of Pokratovek had inspired Vojanak Syndicalist Party leader Szilevo Vruznivek, who then began to campaign for Minister of Voiana under the new multiparty legality within the country.

Several weeks after the protests started, Pokratovek's house in Sakzěluszmi was raided by Zabregashian military police, however Pokratovek was not found. Instead, many of Pokratovek's belongings were confiscated, including his World Championship trophy and much of his other chess memorabilia. During this time, Pokratovek tried to remain in as much obscurity as possible to avoid his possible capture by Zabregashian authorities. Pokratovek did not exit his friend's apartment once in the entire time he remained there, and often entertained himself by practicing and documenting chess techniques. Ultimately in January of 1975, Pokratovek's location was leaked to authorities after a neighbor overheard two peoples' conversation when only one person purportedly occupied the flat—leading the neighbor to notify their Zabregashian landlord who then notified police after discovering Pokratovek.

Imprisonment
Military police raided Pokratovek's friend's apartment the same day, and ultimately convicted both him and his friend for harboring an enemy of the state. While Pokratovek's friend was sentenced to 8 years in prison, Pokratovek was sentenced to life without trial in a maximum security prison in the capital of Opnoch. His conviction was to great outrage within the Republic, and it only intensified protests in the Union. Pokratovek was sent to the Zamkatuyhwuyñ Penitentiary on the outskirts of Opnoch, while his friend was sent to a local prison in Jaçoko. Zamkatuyhwuyñ was a, and Pokratovek was sentenced to solitary confinement for the majority of his imprisonment.

During Pokratovek's time in prison, multiple campaigns and petitions both within and outside of ZUOVA to have him released were started. While in confinement, Pokratovek was initially treated with hostility by the prison guards, and was seen as an "untouchable" for around 10-12 months. Pokratovek was allowed 30 minutes outside daily without human contact, and was given three meals a day; however, Pokratovek soon grew closer to the guards after one challenged him to a game of chess once the guard heard of his grandmaster status. The interaction with the guard was the first contact with another human for Pokratovek in 12 months. Following this, Pokratovek convinced the guards to allow him to leave his cell for more minutes at a time, and was eventually trusted with manual tasks such as washing the guards' uniforms and mopping the floors in return for more meals, more time outside, or more games of chess.

While at Zamkatuyhwuyñ Prison, Pokratovek heard very little about the external political situation in the Zabregashian Union, getting most of what he knew by eavesdropping on guards' conversations based on his limited knowledge in the Oxellian language. Pokratovek was permitted to write one letter back home per month; however, he was not allowed to receive any letters back, and his letters were mandatorily checked prior to sending. Pokratovek's mother—his only remaining family member—died six years into Pokratovek's internment in 1981, though he was not informed of this and continued to unknowingly send letters for the remainder of his time in prison. Pokratovek also deceitfully told the guards that he was a devout Stroomist, requesting he be allowed 10 minutes in the prison's bathhouse per day. Unbeknownst to the guards, this was actually so that Pokratovek could see out the large windows in the bathhouse which oversaw the city of Opnoch—the only place in the prison that he could access that had such a view.

Once the Vojanak War started in 1985, Pokratovek theorized that internal conflict had broken out due to the fact that the number of guards in the prison decreased significantly, and people with positions such as janitor and chef were suddenly and inexplicably promoted to guards. This theory was proven true in the early months of 1989 when Pokratovek heard warplanes and bombs for the first time from his cell, making him "the happiest [he] has been since [he] entered this damn place".

Meanwhile in Vojandzeka, Pokratovek and his works had become a major symbol of the Vojanak people and spirit. He was hailed as a hero not just within Vojandzeka, but also throughout much of the world. In Mazulot, numerous wall murals of his visage were dotted across the war-torn city. Operations to free him were even considered by Vojanak and Ordrish forces, however his whereabouts were not known and the operation was deemed too risky.

Escape
On March 30, 1991, another bombing run was commenced by Ordrish air forces over the capital of Opnoch in the early morning, this time focusing on the eastern outskirts of the city near a military base and ammunition depot. The bombing run also happened to be within range of the Zamkatuyhwuyñ Penitentiary—though the prison had been bombed before, the damage was not extensive. On this particular occasion, a bomb happened to land just outside of Pokratovek's cell, damaging a section of the cell wall. Another bomb landed on the hallway leading to the solitary confinement wing, collapsing the only entrance to the area. Pokratovek quickly realized the opportunity, and began striking the damaged wall with a chess board gifted to him by the prison guards. Pokratovek eventually managed to widen the hole enough for him to fit through, and he swiftly escaped the cell before climbing back into the solitary confinement wing. Before escaping the prison's perimeter, Pokratovek also stole a keyring and unlocked the only other prisoner in solitary confinement, that being Zabregashian activist Chlanuw Barda. The pair stole two guard uniforms before escaping through the main gates of the penitentiary, not being caught primarily due to the darkness and the overall chaos of the situation.

After escaping the prison, the pair broke into a post office that had been damaged during the same bombing run. There, they stole mail delivery personnel outfits and packages, as well as stealing a postal vehicle itself. Due of the chaos of the situation, the pair were able to speed away from the city without suspicion—it was only the following day that Pokratovek and Barda were noticed as being missing. Word that the two had gone missing quickly spread across both Zabregashia and Vojandzeka, with many hoping that the pair make it safely to Vojandzeka. Meanwhile, Zabregashian helicopters searched for the two, and the missing postal vehicle was recognized as a potential method of disguise. Pokratovek and Barda realized this may be the case, and therefore shaved their heads and grew out their facial hair. The journey to Vojandzeka took 4 1/2 months, and Pokratovek faced several close calls while en route.

Because the western portion of Vojandzeka was wrought with conflict, the two instead drove through Galvia, who at this point had stepped down from the conflict. Halfway through Galvia, the mail truck broke down, and the two were forced to steal another car near Vilciena, Vakars. Because the Izlegalian border was heavily fortified between both Galvia and Aquizireiki, the two instead drove through Aquizireiki, and into the Gožyaries. Once they had proven who they were to Gožyar authorities, the Gožyar military flew them to Martland, where the Martic military then sent the pair to Hilnizbors where they were received by the Izlegalian military. The Izlegalian military then returned them to Vojandzeka to much fanfare. Pokratovek was hailed as a hero, and returned to Mazulot under the protection of military personnel. Meanwhile, Barda continued his journey and instead flew to Ecoralia where he claimed political asylum. Just four weeks after his return, Pokratovek enlisted in the Vojanak territorial defense forces.

Military career
Pokratovek was flown to Ordrey for military training two weeks after his enlistment. Pokratovek stayed in Ordrey for 10 weeks in basic training, being instructed by Ordrish generals, before flying back to Vojandzeka. There, he was stationed near the frontlines in the Khetsez̧ region of Vojandzeka's south near the city of Beděldzag. For the first few months of his service, Pokratovek switched between several different regiments before finally landing on the 405th cavalry division, which repositioned him onto the actual front lines of the conflict.

The conflict in Khetsez̧ during Pokratovek's time in service was extremely volatile, and frequently shifted in which side was on the offensive and defensive; it was the only front in the war to not devolve into mostly static trench conflict. Pokratovek's performance in shooting was purportedly quite poor, and was instead frequently entrusted with non-combat roles such as navigation and a medic. Eventually, Pokratovek found his stride when it came to being an driver, and became the main driver of his squad. Pokratovek was also more competent at shooting as the APC gunner rather than an infantryman. Pokratovek's time eavesdropping in the Zabregashian prison even helped him give intelligence to higherups when it came to Zabregashian strategy and morale.

On November 19, 1998, Pokratovek was critically injured when his APC came under enemy tank fire. Much of Pokratovek's torso and legs were covered in 3rd degree burns, and he was also shot thrice in the abdomen and once in his left lung, which collapsed it. Pokratovek was rushed to a field hospital where he was not expected to survive, however he slowly recovered over the course of a year, and eventually returned to the battlefield in late 1999. Though thought to be fit for combat, Pokratovek was quickly once again rushed to a field hospital in January of 2000 after facing severe breathing complications regarding his left lung. He was deemed to be unfit for combat by doctors, but Pokratovek demanded to remain in the military and instead work in less intensive jobs. The Vojanak military obliged, and Pokratovek was tasked with transporting medical supplies from Mazulot to the liberated city of Bramoz. Pokratovek kept this job until the end of the war in 2003, when he was too old to remain in the military and was given an.

Chess
On 22 August 2004, in his first public chess games since the war, Pokratovek played in the Agnarelv Chess Champions Tournament, a blitz event played at the time control of 5 minutes per side and 3-second increments per move. Pokratovek tied for first with Ingomar Bohler, scoring 4½/6.

Pokratovek and Bohler played a 12-game match from 21 to 24 September 2005, in Queluz, Watan. It consisted of four rapid (or semi rapid) games, in which Pokratovek won 3–1, and eight blitz games, in which Pokratovek won 6–2, winning the match with a total result of 9–3. The event took place nearly 30 years after the two players' legendary encounter at World Chess Championship 1974.

In May 2005, he played 30 games simultaneously, winning each one, against players at the University of Ascara in Ventora. In the same month, it was revealed that Pokratovek had began training the Lakauan grandmaster Kaleo Māho. The first of several training sessions was held in Mazulot just before Māho participated in the Steel Chess tournament in Roodham, Ecoralia. In December 2005, it was announced that the cooperation had come to an end.

Pokratovek played two blitz exhibition matches in the autumn of 2005. The first was in September against Koranelan grandmaster Jyrki Saarela, in Ornes, Koranel, which Pokratovek won 1½–½. The second was a longer match consisting of eight blitz games played on 9 October, against Myrish grandmaster Arvi Kulmala. Pokratovek won again by a score of 4½–3½.

A little after that, in October 2005, Pokratovek played and defeated fourteen opponents in a simultaneous exhibition that took place in Yan, Asidama.

On 25 and 26 April 2006, Kasparov played a mini-match against Salian grandmaster and previous World Champion Alawon Drewyth. The match consisted of two rapid games and eight blitz games and was contested over the course of two days. Both commentators remarked how Pokratovek was an 'initiative hog' throughout the match, consistently not allowing Drewyth to gain any foothold in the games, and won the match decisively with a score of 8½–1½. Pokratovek also managed to win all five games on the second day, with his victories characterised by aggressive pawn moves breaking up Drewyth's position, thereby allowing Pokratovek's pieces to achieve positional superiority.

On July 14, 2006, Pokratovek announced his retirement from his chess career. As a show of respect towards him, the World Chess Association named an award after Pokratovek, dubbed the Vocta Award, for any player who plays for more than 30 years. Pokratovek was also promised post-retirement aid from the WCA for his longtime commitment towards the association.

Books and other writings
Since his retirement, Pokratovek has written five books, with one being fiction and one being an autobiography.

Harbinger
Harbinger was Pokratovek's first book since Hole in the Wall, published 33 years later. The book is his only autobiography, and documents his life in detail from the age of 7 until present day. Harbinger quickly turned into a bestseller, and is Pokratovek's second most sold book of all time. The title, Harbinger, is named as such because Pokratovek often views himself as the harbinger of the Vojanak War, as his book is what kicked off the ethnic tension which eventually exploded into a political revolution. The book was later adapted into a movie with the same name in 2021 with a runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes. Pokratovek stars in the movie himself as a Vojanak general, and was often on set giving pointers.

Where Wizkanja Lies
Where Wizkanja Lies was Pokratovek's third book, and is an introspective book peering into the minds and thoughts of Vojanaks, and exploring their connections to the Wizkanian Empire. The book is non-fiction.

Creaks
Creaks was Pokratovek's sole fiction book, and recounted an imaginary story of a boy who fears there to be monsters inside and around his house, only to find out that the creaks he hears are actually agents of the government who had come to spy on his father for being a potential threat to the state.

Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a non-fiction informational book about chess and Pokratovek's playing technique. The title, Lemongrass, is a play on Pokratovek's name and the word chess, which, when put together in the Vojanak language, sound similar to the Vojanak word for Lemongrass: Pokratavçes.

Speaking in Public
Speaking in Public is an informational book for nervous speakers on how to train their voices and nerves to become a good public speaker.

Personal life
Pokratovek has lived in Hasä, Gladomyr since 2018; his reason for the move being he "wanted to be closer to the sea". Pokratovek has come out on multiple occasions saying that he suffers from, although "he is receiving great treatment for [it]". Pokratovek also still suffers from mobility issues from his wartime injury, and struggles to exert himself for long periods of time.

In 2015, his World Championship trophy was found and returned to Pokratovek by the Ochsardvian government as a formal apology. Pokratovek has purportedly forgiven Ochsardvia and its government since.

Pokratovek has been giving speeches on himself and his chess career since 2007.