Vidrik Rootare

Career

In 1942, in one of his best showings, he came in third in an Estonian Chess Championship behind Johannes Türn, in second place, and Paul Keres, in first. In the 1930s, he played in the Estonian Club championships. Although the two near-twins and their families corresponded over the years, they were never to see each other again.

Frits and Salme had a daughter, Reet Rootare, who gained some notoriety as an actress.

Keres v. Rootare v.

Achievements

• His wife, Salme Rootare, was also an Estonian chess player, 15-time Estonian Champion and a Women"s International Master (WIM). In 1930 his team won the silver medal, with Leho Laurine, Nedsvedski, and Karring. He was also a contemporary of such Estonian players as Paul Felix Schmidt, Gunnar Friedemann, Ilmar Raud, and Tallinn-born Lithuanian international master and honorary grandmaster Vladas Mikėnas, who won the Estonian championship in 1930.