Career
In 1947, at the beginning of his career, Nei took 3rd in Leningrad (Saint St. Petersburg) at the sixth Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics juniors championships. In 1948, he tied for first with Korchnoi in Tallinn (seventh Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics juniors championships). In 1955, he tied for third through sixth place in Pärnu (Baltic Republics championships).
In 1960, he tied for 14–15th at the 27th Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics championships in Leningrad.
In 1964, he tied for first with Keres in Beverwijk. In 1965, he took second, behind Vladas Mikėnas, in Palanga (Baltic championships).
Nei was awarded the International Master (IM) title in 1964. He was one of Boris Spassky"s seconds (along with Efim Geller and Nikolai Krogius) for the 1972 Fischer versus
Spassky World Championship match.
He went on to become a trainer, teaching such grandmasters as Lembit Oll.