Alexander Nikitin who coached Grandmaster Garry Kasparov.

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Alexander Nikitin passed away on June 5, at the age of 87. A strong International Master himself, Nikitin was one of the most distinguished chess coaches in history. Among others, he trained Dmitry Jakovenko, Etienne Bacrot and 13th world champion Garry Kasparov.

We will remember him as an outstanding coach, without whom Garry Kasparov might not have become the great Kasparov.

A strong International Master himself, Nikitin retired from chess at some point, concentrating on scientific research, but returned to the game he loved and became one of the most distinguished chess coaches in history.

Mr. Nikitin, the international master, met Mr. Kasparov somewhat by chance in 1973. At the first sight Mr. Nikitin noticed Garry partly as he was just a 10-years-old kid apart from that other team members were six to seven years older than him.

Mr. Nikitin selected Garry as his student, but the situation was not so easy for both of them. Mr. Kasparov was living in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he had been born, and Mr. Nikitin was in Moscow. Mr. Nikitin sent letters and research materials for Mr. Kasparov to study, and somehow the connection established and worked.

Under the guidance of Mr. Nikitin, Mr. Garry won a lots of titles in the field of chess. He won the Soviet Junior Championship when he was 12; won a major international tournament in Yugoslavia when he was 15. Later on won the World Junior Championship in 1980. By age 17, he was a grandmaster.