Summary of the premise (no spoiler details about the mystery):

Two chess champions meet the day prior to their much-anticipated match. Nasty, cheating, arrogant American vs the established world champion: a vivacious, gentle, man from a fictional Soviet nation. The American's ex-wife has arranged the matchup out of hatred, so that she will have the pleasure of watching him lose to the superior, older Russian-speaking man. Intending to gain a psychological advantage in the next day's match the American strikes up conversation. He finds himself unexpectedly charmed and the two are soon playing an informal match over dinner, and then having more drinks back at their hotel, which must be done covertly. As a valuable and public figure representing the USSR internationally, the chess master has significant state support in all matters, which also entails some intrusive control, which he is able to easily circumvent with mild sneakiness. Despite constantly reminding everyone around of his great intellect which destines him to triumph, the American is attempting to find a way to cheat his way to victory, while the Soviet citizen has an easy, friendly confidence about him. He is personally and intellectually generous, and treats his opponent with kindness.

There is of course, a murder. Columbo is a show about a homicide detective.

S02 E07 1973