Tov Kronsteen (Това Кронштейна) is a fictional character from the James Bond novel From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming, and of the film of the same name, released in 1963. He was portrayed in the film by Vladek Sheybal.
Film biography
When he is first seen at the movie, Kronsteen is participating in a chess tournament with MacAdams. During the tournament he receives a message from SPECTRE, ordering him to arrive immediately. He continues the match until his opponent gives up, then leaves the room.
He then visits a SPECTRE headquarter where he meets with his boss Blofeld and Rosa Klebb, while the latter indirectly him for continuing his chess game instead of arriving immediately. Kronsteen then tells Blofeld that, as he was tasked, he created a plan to steal the Lektor from the Russians. He states that in order for his plan to work, they need a female member of the Russian Kryptograph Section in Turkey and the help of the Secret Service. Klebb is ordered to select the woman, in order to make the plan work. After assuring Blofeld that he has anticipated every possible outcome, Kronsteen tells Blofeld that his plan also ensures revenge for the death of SPECTRE operative Julius No, because the agent used by the Secret Service to get the Lektor will be the same one who killed Dr. No, James Bond. Blofeld tells Kronsteen to ensure that Bond's death will be particularly unpleasant and humiliating.
After the failure of the mission, Blofeld calls both Klebb and Kronsteen before him, asking them what they have to say in their defense. Kronsteen blames Klebb for choosing the wrong people for the job whereas Klebb says that Kronsteen's plan was the reason for the failure; Kronsteen denies that his plan could be anything but flawless, as it was his own genius. After hearing both, Blofeld silences them and summons Morzeny into the room while berating Klebb for the failure, apparently taking Kronsteen's side. Morzeny deploys a blade tipped with poison from his shoe, but most surprisingly stabs Kronsteen with it instead of Klebb as they had been led to believe. Kronsteen has little time to register his shock, as the poison immediately takes effect, managing only a look of disbelief towards Blofeld before he slumps to the floor. After Kronsteen has died, Blofeld remarks that his demise lasted 12 second and that one day they have to create a faster working venom.
Personality
Kronsteen had a cold and egotistical manner, he thought he was unbeatable because of his brilliant intelligence as a chess player and strategist. Kronsteen had a chilling and humourless personality, his soft spoken voice was that of a calm and experienced intellect.