AAdditional Games
- Chessgames
- Game, Alexander Leipnieks vs. Ernest Adminis, 1951.
Aleksandrs Liepnieks
November 05, 1908-April 28, 1973
October 10 1950
The Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, Nebraska, Tuesday, October 10, 1950
D. P. Chess Champ Proves Skill Here
Chess is to Latvia what football is to Nebraska, so that may explain how Alexander Liepnieks, a displaced person now working for a Lincoln rubber company, was able to take on 23 chess opponents simultaneously one night at the Y.M.C.A.
A native of Latvia, he was champion chess player in the American zone in Germany before he came to this country. He and his wife live at 135 No. 14th St.
At the tourney, Liepnieks' opponents formed a circle and the energetic Latvian moved from one to another's table until 2:30 a.m. He scored 22 wins and a draw.
Every Tuesday and Friday night from 7 to 11 p.m. there will be opportunity for local chess to try their skill, Merwin H. Rector, Y.M.C.A. director stated.
March 11 1953
Liepnieks Retains City Chess Crown 11 Mar 1953, Wed The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) Newspapers.com
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Wednesday, March 11, 1953
Chess Tournament Finals—Playing in the final night of the Lincoln chess tournament Tuesday night at the YMCA were (left to right around the table): Victor Pupols (who placed second in championship division), Alex Leipnieks (championship winner), Joe Warner, Anton Sildmets, Peter Tumek, Robert Kalnius and Vladimir Rajnoha. (Star Photo.)
Liepnieks Retains City Chess Crown
Alexander Liepnieks of 135 No. 14th is the City chess champion of the Lincoln Chess tournament for the second year in a row.
All ten rounds of the tournament, including Tuesday night's final, were played at the YMCA.
Peter Tumek of 138 No. 14th was the top man in the second division and Stanley Reeder of 903 No. 66th was the ranking winner in the third division.
Runners up in each division were:
Championship Division
2. Victor Pupols
3. Vladimir Rajnoha
4. Robert Kalnins
5. Julian Sobolevskis
6. Dr. Edgar Hinman
7. Anton Sildments
8. Joe Warner
9. Peter Wood
10. Italo Manarin
11. William Sabin
Second Division
2. John Danenfelds
3. Jacob Dresmanis
4. Ernest Adminis
5. Kenwood Opp
6. James Weber
7. George Crancer
8. John Stakens
Third Division
2. Tom Fisher
3. Jack Schwabauer
4. Jim Ellingson
5. Joe Hromadik
6. Arvid Grava
7. Werner Heuer
8. William Zobens
9. Erik Grivins
Trophies for the winners and prizes for the runners up will be awarded at the annual chess banquet at the Lincoln Hotel March 14. Principal speaker for the evening will be Alfred Ludwig, director of the Nebraska Chess Association.
March 15 1954
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Monday, March 15, 1954
Liepnieks Again Chess Champion
Alexander Liepnieks of 135 No. 14th is the Lincoln chess champion for the fourth year in a row.
His score was eight wins and no losses with a single draw against Dr. Temperley of Cambridge, England.
Other winners in the championship division, in order, were: Anton Sildmets, Robert Kalnins, William Sabin, John Danenfelds and Kenwood Opp.
In the A division the standings, in order, were: Werner Heuer, Andris Staklis, Rev. DeWitt, Walter Ross and Arvids Grava. In the B division Barton Lewis, Dr. Guarjardo Davis, James Ellington, Eddy Diamond and William Zobens.
Trophies and prizes will be awarded at the annual chess banquet at the Lincoln Hotel on Saturday.
August 19 1953
Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Wednesday, August 19, 1953
Named Director—Alexander Liepnieks of Lincoln was named a director in the American Chess Association at its meeting in Milwaukee. Liepnieks, Nebraska champion, is presently engaged in a tourney there.
September 07 1954
Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Tuesday, September 07, 1954
Lincolnite Is Chess Champ
Alex Liepnieks of Lincoln topped an impressive field of champions to win the annual Midwest and Nebraska State Chess Championship at North Platte.
Liepnieks, city chess champion, won four, drew two and lost none.
Other winners in order were Edward Ireland of Omaha; Richard Hervert of North Platte; Raymond Wallace of Lincoln, former Georgia champ; Richard McLellan, Omaha champ; Don Emigh, top South Dakota player.
February 26 1956
Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Sunday, February 26, 1956
Liepnieks Wins City Chess Race
Alexander Liepnieks, 1226 So. 26th Street, has won the city chess tournament for the sixth straight year.
The 47-year-old Latvian native won four and drew three of his games to win the seven-round tourney.
Liepnieks is former chess champion of post-war North Western Germany. In a Liepnieks recent contest, he drew in a match against U.S. chess champion Samuel Reshewsky.
Intermediate group winners of the tourney were Norman Strand and Ernest Adminis. John Winkelman captured the student division.
May 02 1958
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday, May 02, 1958
Liepnieks Leads Chess Tourney
Alex Liepnieks leads Lincoln chess players at the end of 5 rounds of the city chess tournament, with 4 wins, one draw and no losses.
Others placing in the championship group include Anton Sildmets and John Salna with 3 wins each.
Second group leaders are Arthur Tramdachs and Paul Troester. Both divisions meet at the YMCA on Tuesday and Friday nights.
Former state chess champion Jack Spence will address the annual chess banquet at the Lincoln Hotel May 17.
May 29 1958
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Thursday, May 29, 1958
A. Liepnieks Chess Champ For 8th Time
Alexander Liepnieks of 1226 So. 26th has won the Lincoln City Chess championship for the 8th consecutive year, winning this year's competition with a score of 5 wins, no losses and 2 draws.
He has also been Nebraska and Midwest champion in the past.
Runners-up in the championship division were Anton Silmets, John Salna and Andy Staklis.
Other winners were: Ernest Adminis, 2nd division; Arthur Tramdachs, 3rd division; runnerup in 2nd division, Paul Troester; runnerup in 3rd division, Charles Armstrong; and John Winkelman, best high school player.
Jack Spence of the Omaha Chess club and B. Frank Watson of Lincoln were featured speakers at an evening banquet.
May 24 1961
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 24, 1961
Liepnieks Wins City Chess Title
Alexander Liepnieks of 1226 So. 26th won the annual Lincoln City Chess Championship.
Liepnieks finished the tournament with 4 wins and two draws in 6 rounds of the final competition.
Wayne Chapman, former high ranking chess player in Nevada, was the runner-up, while Anton Sildmets and William Sabin tied for third.
Mrs. Donna Davis received a special award for the most improved player. Stanley W. Reeder, president of the Chess Club, awarded trophies at the banquet held at Cotner Terrace.
February 03 1965
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Wednesday, February 03, 1965
Liepnieks In Chess
Las Vegas—Alex Liepnieks of Lincoln, Neb., is among the entries in the first National Open Chess Tournament to be held at the Stardust Hotel here Feb. 7-13.
April 23 1965
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday, April 23, 1965
Liepnieks Wins Chess Crown With 6-0 Mark
Alex Liepnieks won the Lincoln City Speed Chess Tournament with a perfect 6-0 mark. Anton Sildmets and Robert Narveson tied for second with Terry Cain fourth.
1967
April 30 1973
Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Monday, April 30, 1973
Chess Champ: Liepnieks Services Are Set
Funeral services for Aleksander Liepnieks, chess champion who came to Lincoln from Latvia in 1950, will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Latvian Lutheran Church at Omaha. Mr. Liepnieks, 63, died Saturday at a Lincoln hospital.
Liepnieks was in Iceland for the last of the U.S. World championship chess games. He participated as a press observer for Aleksander Liepnieks Chess World and some New York newspapers. He also acted as an interpreter of Russian writings since Russian officials refused to communicate in English.
Born in Riga, Latvia, Liepnieks began playing chess at the age of 12 in Siberia. Before arriving in the U.S., he organized games in northwestern Germany and the city of Oldenburg when he was champion.
President of the Lincoln Chess Foundation and a director of the Nebraska region of the U.S. Chess Federation, Liepnieks had won the Lincoln championship 15 times and was state champion three times. He had also served as vice president of the U.S. Chess Federation.
From his home in Lincoln he organized the 10th U.S. Junior championship, the 1967 invitational Nebraska Centennial Chess Tournament, the 1969 U.S. Open which was held in Lincoln and the 1972 American Chess Organizers and Jerry Spann Memorial Tournament.
Liepnieks hosted Bobby Fischer at his home in Lincoln 17 years ago when Fischer wasn't nearly so well known.
He is survived by his wife. Erna; son, Andris of North Platte; daughters, Mrs. Silvija Taylor of Sheridan, Ark., Mrs. Ruta York of Seattle, Wash., sister, Emilija Liepnieks of Latvia, and five grandchildren.
May 06 1973
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Sunday, May 06, 1973
Aleksander Lipenieks: Chess Was His Passion 06 May 1973, Sun The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) Newspapers.com
Aleksander Liepnieks: Chess Was His Passion
By Robert Narveson, Vice President, Lincoln Chess Foundation
In the death of Aleksander Liepnieks, Lincoln chess has lost its most ardent advocate.
A Latvian, Aleks came to Lincoln in 1950 with his family. I first met him in 1962 when I moved with my family to this city. I wanted to find some people to play chess with and called the newspapers to ask if they could help me. They referred me to Aleks, who in his enthusiastic way, invited me to join the Lincoln Chess Club.
Aleks was a regular competitor in the Lincoln City Tournament in those first years, and I soon learned what a fierce competitor he was. Never in the succeeding years did I manage a win from him in tournament play, and I cherish the draw or two from him more than I do my victories over almost anyone else.
It was Aleks who persuaded former Mayor Dean Peterson a few years back to offers a large traveling trophy for the city champion. The first to win it three times was to keep it. You will find it standing in Aleks' collection. He was Lincoln city champion 15 times.
Whenever he could manage it, Aleks would attend national tournaments. He played in many U.S. Opens, at least twice in the National Open, annually in the national Latvian tournament, and almost every year in the Milwaukee North Central Open tournament. Invariably his finishing rank was near the top. For most of his active playing career he held the official rank of chess expert, occasionally rising close to the master category.
Known Nationally
He was well-known in national chess circles, serving for many years on the board of directors of the U.S. Chess Federation.
When Aleks organized his first national tournament in Lincoln, the U.S. Junior Championship in 1955, a young 13-year-old named Bobby Fischer made his first appearance on the national chess scene. Aleks invited the youngster to stay at his home and began a friendship with Bobby that led eventually to Iceland where just last summer Aleks had the pleasure and delight of seeing the new champion of the world wrest the crown from the Russian Boris Spassky. We who look back now may mark this event as a fitting climax to Aleks' life-long involvement in chess.
After having sponsored, organized and raised the finances for the U.S. junior championship, Aleks felt ready for even greater things and under his leadership we began plans for a Nebraska Centennial Chess Tournament in 1967.
A few years before his good friend B. Frank Watson had succeeded in establishing the Lincoln Chess Foundation for the promotion of chess activity. Using this as a base, Aleks set us to work cajoling contributions from local businesses and friends of chess.
Bennett Martin Sr. backed the tournament handsomely by providing rooms and playing space in the Lincoln Hotel. The tournament was a success, bringing to Lincoln outstanding chess personalities from all America. They were so impressed that they voted to have the Lincoln Chess Foundation sponsor the country's most prestigious annual chess gathering, the U.S. Open. Under Aleks' indefatigable leadership the 1969 tournament was one of the largest and most smoothly ever run.
He served for the last two years as president of the Lincoln Chess Federation and it was his dream that after he retired he could help bring the U.S. Open to Lincoln again.
Future Plans
His last big promotional effort was a follow-up to the Nebraska Centennial tournament, which he named the American Chess Organizers and Jerry Spann Memorial Tournament. Staged 11 months ago, it brought back to Lincoln most of the chess personalities who had come for the earlier event. It was the last big tournament Aleks played in, and as usual he scored among the tournament leaders. Even as he died he was full of plans for a third similar event next year.
He also recognized the important role of chess journalism in promoting the game that was a passion with him. He contributed to the local chess newsletter, The Gambit, and for years edited and published the journal for the world Latvian Chess Federation, still working at this task at the time of his death. In addition, he enlisted the help of his friend Jack Spence to produce a book of games by the great Russian world champion Vasily Smyslov.
But no adequate impression of Aleks could be conveyed without mentioning the style in which he carried things off. In manner he was a Latvian gentleman, greeting everyone every time with a smile and a handshake, rarely going into public without shirt and tie, always polite and genial. He respected learning and cultural attainments more than wealth, and saw to it that his children went as far as their efforts would carry them in higher education.
You could expect that when Aleks planned a large tournament there would not only be the game of chess, but adequate ceremony: official greetings from the mayor, a banquet with good food, good talk and good music, and a photographer to record the festive moments. In chess he saw the embodiment of much that he valued in life itself: patience, endurance, skill, learning, resourcefulness, elegance, beauty, the will to win; but he did not mistake chess for all of life, for he believed that it went with other good things rather than replace them.
He would have endorsed that poetic description by a great European grandmaster: “Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy.”
February 17 2003
Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Monday, February 17, 2003
Lincoln City Championship Has Illustrious History 17 Feb 2003, Mon Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) Newspapers.com
Lincoln City Championship Has Illustrious History
Long before Bobby Fischer ignited the chess boom and long before the city of Lincoln grew up, there was a Lincoln City Chess Championship.
The tournament dates 1909. The greatest city champion was Alexander Liepnieks, who immigrated from Latvia to Lincoln in 1950 and worked at the Goodyear plant. Liepnieks was nearly invincible. Between 1951 and 1963, he snared the city title 12 consecutive times. Overall, he captured 15 city titles and three Nebraska State Championships.
If Liepnieks had a rival, it was Anton Sildmets. Sildmets stopped Liepnieks title run in 1964 and later captured three more city titles. He also won a state title and three national postal chess championships in the 1960s.
Hockey has the coveted Stanley Cup. The Lincoln City Championship has the Traveling Trophy. Each year the new champion's name is etched on the trophy “travels” with the winner until it is passed to the next winner. Win the trophy three consecutive years, though, and the historic trophy is yours to keep.
Only two players have retired the Traveling Trophy in the tournament's 90-year history: Liepnieks did in four times, and current co-champion Kent Nelson did it once.
The tournament used to play out over several weeks with players playing one game per week. Today competition is completed in one day.
The 2003 Lincoln City championship is March 8 at Southeast Community College. Registration is 8:30 to 9 a.m., and the entry fee is $15.
Rounds begin at 9 a.m., 1 and 4:30 p.m. Prizes include the Traveling Trophy and trophies to first-second-and third-place finishers, first under an 1800 rating, and first junior. All are welcome to compete or watch.
Following is a 1951 game by 15-time champion Alexander Liepnieks.
Alexander Liepnieks (white) vs. Ernest Adminis (black)
Horwitz Defense
