Vladek Sheybal (Kronsteen)

Vladek Sheybal playing Kronsteen

Born in Zgierz, Poland on 12th March 1923

Died 16th October 1992

Starred In From Russia With Love (1963)

Film information

Kronsteen played by Vladek Sheybal is the third Villain of From Russia With Love. After winning an international chess match with an excellent move, Kronsteen is called to report to SPECTRE.

Kronsteen presents a plan to steal a Russian Lektor decoding machine and assassinate James Bond to get revenge for the death of SPECTRE agent Dr. No.

Ernst Stavro Blofeld, head of SPECTRE, later asks Kronsteen to explain what went wrong after the plan fails. Kronsteen calmly explains his plan was perfect and that the fault lies with Rosa Klebb. Clearly getting panicked, Klebb tries to defend herself knowing the price of failure. Ironically, Blofeld chooses to kill the agent who feels they are immune from his threats, thus Kronsteen is killed.

Character information

Kronsteen an internationally acclaimed chess player is also SPECTRE agent number five, and director of planning. It is Kronsteen that comes up with the plan to steal the Russian Lektor and to assassinate James Bond. Thinking he has covered every possible outcome, Kronsteen makes a fatal mistake when he underestimates Bond, thinking no one could be as smart as him. Morzeny wearing the Poison Tipped Spiked Shoe kills Kronsteen when his plan fails. §