(Photo credit: Julia Shuvalova, 2012)

Stalin's bunker in Moscow was built in 1930s. Its construction was a part of the government program, including ensuring defense capability of the country. In 1930s, in anticipation of a possible war, in the Soviet Union and in its capital dual-use objects were hastily erected (subway - a huge bomb shelter, tractor plants – at the same time, tanks-producing plants, macaroni factories with the ability to produce the gunpowder using the same equipment, bottle plants that could make cartridges, etc.).

Secret military bunker in Izmailovo was also masked above the ground by a peaceful building - a sports complex. The stadium was used as a disguise for the secret object. In the mass media it was announced that in order to ensure the appropriate organization of the Spartakiad, Central Stadium (Stadium of Nations) was built in Moscow, USSR. During the construction of the stadium the grandstands with no less than 120 000 numbered seats were added. They also built a large number of the auxiliary athletic facilities for educational and mass use. Alongside with the construction of the building the design also included the construction of the Palace of physical education together with scientific institutions, academies and an institute.

By 1941 Stalin's bunker was well protected from possible enemy`s air attacks by a reinforced concrete floor slab 8.6 m thick. It was placed on the walls between the intramural partition-walls 4 m thick made of natural stone for ensuring the stiffness. The place for the construction of the object was chosen in the east of the capital. If the enemy would attack from the west - the object would be built in the east. In the vicinity of the object three military airfields were located, including the most important strategic airfield of the country "Monino". Thus, a convenient location in the east of the capital close to the government and military airfields allowed to turn the object into a secret alternate Command Post of the Supreme Commander with the meeting room, offices, supporting services. Stalin`s block of the object included: Meeting Room of the Supreme Commander of the Red Army, Stalin`s study, Stalin`s lounge rooms, generals` office, military service and support rooms, a dining room.

In Stalin's study side-by-side with his working table there stood one more table. Strange figures were placed on this table. It was a game - a kind of chess, but with more complex rules. It was recommended for four people to play this game, but six players were also possible. The point of the game was to capture the rival`s city. If we draw an analogy with the game of cards pair-to-pair, the difference is that in the game of cards two players win. In this game only one player wins. That is, once you and your ally have captured enemy`s cities, an ally becomes an enemy. The game does not end here, it continues, just like it happens in a real life.