Elmārs Zemgalis

Elmārs Zemgalis (born 9 September 1923, Riga, Latvia), is a Latvian-American chess master and mathematics professor. He was awarded an Honorary Grandmaster title in 2003.

Biography

After the Soviets for the second time invaded his native Latvia, Zemgalis fled to Germany. As a D.P. (Displaced Person) after World War II, he played in twelve international tournaments. In 1946, he took 2nd, behind Wolfgang Unzicker, in Augsburg, with 13/16. In 1946, he took 2nd, behind Fedor Bohatirchuk, in Regensburg ("Klaus Junge Memorial"), with 6.5/9 (http://www.rogerpaige.me.uk/Tables2017.htm). In 1947, he took 2nd, behind Lūcijs Endzelīns in Hanau ("Hermanis Matisons Memorial"). In 1948, he won in Esslingen (Württemberg-ch), with 7/9 (http://www.rogerpaige.me.uk/Tables2019.htm). In 1949, he won in Rujtā (Württemberg-ch). In 1949, he tied for 1st with Efim Bogoljubow in Oldenburg (http://www.chessmetrics.com, the Elmars Zemgalis player file). In 1949, he tied for 1st with Leonids Dreibergs in Esslingen.

In 1951, he emigrated to the United States. He became a mathematics professor. By 1952, Zemgalis had settled in Seattle. He was arguably the top player in the Pacific Northwest for the next fifteen years ("Elmars Zemgalis: Grandmaster without the title", by John Donaldson, 2001). In 1952, he won (3:1) a match against Olaf Ulvestad in Seattle. In 1953 and 1959, he won the Washington State championships. In 1962, he won (4.5: 3.5) a match against Viktors Pupols.

John Donaldson wrote a book on his chess career: "Elmars Zemgalis: Grandmaster without the title" (2001). Zemgalis was awarded the Honorary Grandmaster title by FIDE, the International Chess Federation, in 2003. The site chessgames.com has 42 of his games, while the site mychess.com has 61 of his games.

External links

*chessgames player|id=80967