Indrikis Strazdins, a Latvian chess player and teacher from Liepaja, was born in 1886. While he was a student in Riga, he participated in the 5th and 6th Baltic Chess Congresses. In the 5th Baltic Congress (Liepaja 1911), Strazdins finished shared 12th, behind noted St. Petersburg chess problemist Arvid Kubbel. In the 6th Baltic Congress (Jelgava 1913) he improved to finish shared 3rd, behind Alfreds Hartmanis. Strazdins then returned to Liepaja, where he became a teacher at the Liepaja Commercial School, and served as a board member of the Liepaja Chess Club.
In 1924 he was invited to play in the 1st Latvian Chess Congress in Riga, as the sole representative of Liepaja. Here, he would face the strongest players in Latvia. Strazdins finished 6th of 14 players, behind Hermanis Mattison, Fricis Apsenieks, and Karl Behting (Karlis Betins). As one of the top eight finishers, Strazdins was awarded a prize. For his 1st place finish, Mattisons earned the Latvian Master title. He was also recognized as the first Latvian Chess Champion. Fricis Apsenieks, who finished second, later earned the Master title and became one of the strongest players in Latvia.
On the strength of his respectable showing in the 1st Latvian Congress, Strazdins was invited to compete in the 2nd Latvian Congress (Riga 1926). The winner of this event would earn both the Master title and be recognized as the Latvian Chess Champion. this time, Strazdins only managed to finish 10th of 15 players, behind Fricis Apsenieks, Teodors Bergs, and Vladimir Petrov.
Strazdins returned to Liepaja, where he resided for the rest of his life. In 1930 he finished 7th in the Liepaja Chess Club Jubilee Tournament. In 1942, he died in Liepaja, while it was under German occupation.
Sources
Latvian Wikipedia page for Indrikis Strazdins: Wikipedia article: Indriķis Strazdiņš
5th Baltic Chess Congress crosstable: Wikipedia article: 5. Baltijas Šaha savienības kongress
6th Baltic Chess Congress crosstable: Wikipedia article: 6. Baltijas Šaha savienības kongress
1st Latvian Chess Congress crosstable: Wikipedia article: 1924. gada Latvijas čempionāts šahā
2nd Latvian Chess Congress crosstable: Wikipedia article: 1926. gada Latvijas čempionāts šahā
Kibitzing
