11 Facts About Vladimir Bagirov

Vladimir Bagirov played in ten USSR Championships, with his best result being fourth place in his debut in 1960.

Vladimir Bagirov was the coach of Mikhail Tal and Garry Kasparov, both of whom are considered to be among the greatest chess players of all time.

Vladimir Bagirov was born to an Armenian father and a Ukrainian mother in Baku.

Vladimir Bagirov showed chess talent as a youth, and came under the wing of the master and trainer Vladimir Makogonov.

Vladimir Bagirov made his debut in the semi-finals of the Soviet Championship in 1957, but did not advance to the final.

Vladimir Bagirov was awarded the title of International Master by FIDE in 1963 and that of Grandmaster in 1978.

Vladimir Bagirov moved into training work in the 1970s, and for a short time in 1975, as Azerbaijan national coach, was the sole trainer of future world champion Garry Kasparov.

Vladimir Bagirov was an openings theoretician, with one of his favourites the uncommon Alekhine's Defence.

Vladimir Bagirov published two books and a CD-Rom from 1994 to 2000.

Vladimir Bagirov died while playing a tournament in Finland in 2000.

Vladimir Bagirov had started the Heart of Finland Open event with three straight wins to take the lead and, after a time scramble, had an extra pawn in round four against Teemu Laasanen, but suffered a heart attack, and died the next day, on July 21,2000.