Ivan IV Vasilyevich was the first ruler to assume the title Tsar of all Russia. He was crowned with Monomakh’s Cap at the age of 16 on January 16, 1547.
His early reign was noted for reforms and scoial modernization. Introduced at this time was card playing, then in vogue at the French Court, as an upper class diversion. Both whist and bridge became popular in Moscow Society.
Ivan was not a particularly good bridge player and one evening he got into a heated argument with his son (Ivan V) over the correctness of a bid. Consumed in anger, the Tsar took his Imperial Walking Stick and beat his son to death.
This act earned him the sobriquet Ivan Grozny… “Ivan the Terrible Sport”… which became shortened to “Ivan the Terrible”. He was also referred to as “Ivan the Lousy Card Player”… or Ivan the Louse.
In Russian the term “Grozny” can also be translated as fearsome, loathsome or unsavory as in describing an unappealing soup.