Vladimir Sournin

Who was Vladimir Sournin?

Vladimir Sournin was a Russian–American chess master.

Born into a Russian family of an Army officer, he studied in Paris where he met Emmanuel Schiffers, and also learned about the Spanish-American War preparations and decided to join the Volunteers and crossed the water to fight for the United States.

In 1896, he lost a match to Frank James Marshall in New York. He played at Ostend 1906, took 19th at St Petersburg 1911, and tied for 14-15th at Vilna 1912.

After World War I, he tied for 5-7th at Atlantic City 1921, took 9th at Lake Hopatcong 1923, and took 7th at St Louis 1929.

He was the Washington D.C. champion in 1932 and 1933, with a comeback in 1938 when aged 63.