Career
He played in several Soviet chess championships. Efim Bogoljubow vs Yakov Vilner, Leningrad 1925, 4th United Research Services-ch, Semi-Slav Defense, Meran Variation, D49, 0-1
Yakov Vilner vs Mikhail Botvinnik, Moscow 1927, 5th United Research Services-ch, Amazon Attack, Siberian Attack, A45, 1-0
Nikolai Sorokin vs Yakov Vilner, Odessa 1929, 6th United Research Services-ch, Slav Defense, Schallopp Variation, D12, 0-1
In June 1919, Alexander Alekhine was arrested by the Extraordinary Commission Against Counterrevolution, Sabotage and Speculation and imprisoned in Odessa. He was charged with anti-Soviet activity and passing on secret information.
He was ordered shot, but saved by Yakov Vilner, who sent a telegram to the chairman of the Ukrainian Council of People"s Commissars.
The chairman knew of Alekhine and ordered him freed.