Andria Dadiani

Who was Andria Dadiani?

Andria Dadiani, known in Russia as Andrey Davidovich Dadian-Mingrelsky, was a Georgian nobleman and a chess player.

Member of a Mingrelian princely family of Svan descent, son of David Dadiani and his wife Ekaterine, Andria Dadiani was born in Zugdidi, W. Georgia. He graduated from Heidelberg University Faculty of Law in 1873. Later, he served as a lieutenant-general of the Russian army.

Andrei Dadiani learned to play chess from his parents. In 1864 he met Thomas Wilson Barnes while vacationing in Homberg, Germany. Under Barne's tutelage Dadian won his first tournament at Homberg that year. In 1867 Dadian met Ignatz Kolisch who had just won the Paris tournament. He played Kolisch and was able to win a few games.

Prince Andrei Dadiani was a chess player, sponsor and organizer. He sponsored and played in the first Kiev chess tournament of 1900, attaining 2nd place behind Nikolaev and sponsored the 2nd and 3rd all-Russian tournaments in Kiev. He helped sponsor or organize the Belle Epoch chess tournaments at Monte Carlo in 1901, 1902 and 1903 and Barmen in 1905.

Due to his position, Dadiani participated in very few tournaments.