Tweet
Survived the Russian Revolution and WW2 - some family members didn't.
Born in St. Petersburg (Russia) in 1915.
Some sources say he was a royal prince.
Went to school in Riga.
1938-39 - served in the Latvian army.
1939 - married a Latvian ballerina. His brother married the ballerina's sister the same day. (there is actually a wedding photo online showing the two couples)
1943 - marriage broke up. He won the Riga blitz championship.
Post-war - graduated in engineering in Rome. Worked for the World Council of Churches helping immigrants to/from Italy.
Late 40's - participated in major events in Italy and the Italian championships. (I don't think he ever took first place).
1958 - moved to Canada - first Toronto; then Montreal. Worked as a "sales manager".
Won a provincial chess championship. I don't think he ever played in a Closed (my database doesn't show any games)
1963 - remarried at Montreal's St. Peter and St. Paul's Russian Orthodox Cathedral. They had five children (maybe some from previous marriages?). I don't recall any of them in the chess scene.
In Montreal - always eager to play chess for money, with lots of table talk (in whatever language you wanted - French, English, Italian, Russian, Latvian, and probably others).
He would have been master strength in the 1940's, but I don't think he was much above 2100 in Canada.
Died in 1981; buried in Montreal.
Born in St. Petersburg (Russia) in 1915.
Some sources say he was a royal prince.
Went to school in Riga.
1938-39 - served in the Latvian army.
1939 - married a Latvian ballerina. His brother married the ballerina's sister the same day. (there is actually a wedding photo online showing the two couples)
1943 - marriage broke up. He won the Riga blitz championship.
Post-war - graduated in engineering in Rome. Worked for the World Council of Churches helping immigrants to/from Italy.
Late 40's - participated in major events in Italy and the Italian championships. (I don't think he ever took first place).
1958 - moved to Canada - first Toronto; then Montreal. Worked as a "sales manager".
Won a provincial chess championship. I don't think he ever played in a Closed (my database doesn't show any games)
1963 - remarried at Montreal's St. Peter and St. Paul's Russian Orthodox Cathedral. They had five children (maybe some from previous marriages?). I don't recall any of them in the chess scene.
In Montreal - always eager to play chess for money, with lots of table talk (in whatever language you wanted - French, English, Italian, Russian, Latvian, and probably others).
He would have been master strength in the 1940's, but I don't think he was much above 2100 in Canada.
Died in 1981; buried in Montreal.
Comment