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Rashid NezhmetdinovInternational Master of Chess, Master of Sports in Checkers, Honored Trainer of the USSR, five-time champion of the RSFSR, three-time champion of the USSR in national team championships.
Date of Birth: 15.12.1912
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Early Life and Education
Rashid Nezhmetdinov was born in Aktyubinsk, Kazakhstan, in a poor peasant family. At the age of five, he lost his parents and was raised by distant relatives. Orphaned and a victim of famine, he entered a children's home in 1921. In 1922, his older brother, Radif (Kavi Nazhmi), brought him to Kazan.
After graduating from high school in 1930, Nezhmetdinov enrolled in Kazan Chemical Technology Institute's research faculty. However, he had to work simultaneously. After attending a brief course in metrology, he worked as a state verifier of metrology in Odessa (1931-1933) and Kazan (1933-1937) while pursuing his studies. Following his brother's arrest, he lived in Odessa before returning to Kazan.
Education and Military Service
In 1937, Nezhmetdinov enrolled in the Physics and Mathematics Faculty of Kazan State Pedagogical Institute. Upon graduation in 1940, he was drafted into the Red Army. He served as a junior political instructor throughout the Great Patriotic War and ended in Berlin.
Coaching Career
After demobilization in 1946, Nezhmetdinov worked as a coach for the Tatsoviet and the Central Council of DSO "Spartak" until his death. He coached the Russian Federation team (from 1948) to five victories in the Soviet Union Team Championships and USSR Spartakiads. He also served as Mikhail Tal's second in his world championship match against Mikhail Botvinnik.
Checkers
Nezhmetdinov learned the rules of checkers while in school in 1928. He quickly became a champion and received accolades from grandmaster Vasily Medkov. He was a multiple champion of Kazan, Odessa, and the "Teacher" sports society. His last checkers competition was in 1949.
Chess
In 1927, Nezhmetdinov won the Kazan school chess championship. By 1930, he had become the adult champion and received the First All-Union Category. In 1939, he became a Candidate Master. He won multiple chess championships in Kazan, Tatarstan, and the Volga region.
At the 10th Russian Federation Championship in 1950, Nezhmetdinov became Russian champion and achieved the norm for the Master of Sports title. He participated in five USSR Championship finals and won the Russian Federation Championship five times (1950, 1951, 1953, 1957, 1958).
In 1954, he placed second in the Bucharest International Tournament, earning him the title of International Master. He was a prize-winner in four other international tournaments. In 1962, Nezhmetdinov was awarded the high honor of Honored Coach of the USSR.
Legacy and Honors
Rashid Nezhmetdinov was an author, publishing the first textbook on chess in the Tatar language and receiving awards for the most beautiful game in tournaments. The Kazan chess school was named in his honor, and the Rashid Nezhmetdinov Memorial is held annually in his memory. A memorial plaque was installed on the building where he lived in Kazan.
