About Salme Rootare
Lived 1913 – 1987 (aged 74). Salme Rootare was an Estonian and Russian chess player.
Salme Rootare (March 26, 1913, Tallinn – October 21, 1987) was an Estonian chess master.
She was fifteen times Estonian Champion (1945, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972).
Salme tied for 4-5th at Plovdiv 1959 (Candidates Tournament, Women's World Chess Championship). She beat Ludmilla Rudenko, the all-USSR women's champ 1950–1953, at least once, in 1956 in recorded tournament play, when Rudenko, believing she was would be mated on her next move, resigned. It wasn't until later that both players realised that Rudenko had a saving move.
She received the FIDE title of Woman International Master (WIM) in 1957.
Salme was married to Vidrik Rootare, known as Frits.
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Important facts
People in Salme Rootare's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Salme Rootare?
Estonian chess player (1913-1987)
When was Salme Rootare born?
Salme Rootare was born on 26 March 1913 in Tallinn.
When did Salme Rootare die?
Salme Rootare died on 21 October 1987 in Tallinn.
What was Salme Rootare's occupation?
Salme Rootare was a chess player.
What nationality was Salme Rootare?
Salme Rootare was Estonian and Russian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Salme Rootare. https://biography.guide/salme-rootare/
MLA: "Salme Rootare." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/salme-rootare/.
Chicago: "Salme Rootare." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/salme-rootare/.
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