Why is Anton Chekhov considered a major writer of Russian realism?

Anton Chekhov is considered a major writer of late 19th-century Russian realism because of his unique ability to capture the essence of Russian life through a deceptively simple technique that avoids obtrusive literary devices.12

As a master of the short story and a significant playwright, Chekhov probed beneath the surface of everyday existence to reveal the secret motives of his characters. Unlike many of his predecessors who relied on complex plots, Chekhov focused on apparent trivialities to create a distinct, often lyrical atmosphere. His work is characterized by a "laconic precision" that allows him to achieve profound psychological and sociological depth within a remarkably compact form. By stripping away unnecessary artifice, he provided an authentic, unadorned reflection of the society of his time, cementing his status as the outstanding representative of the realist school at the turn of the 20th century.132