Alexey Stepanovich Suetin was a prominent Russian International Grandmaster, coach, and author in the world of chess.
Born on 16 November 1926 in Kirovohrad, Ukrainian SSR, Suetin first gained interest in chess at 12. He went to Moscow in 1954 to study at the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism. Here, he joined an elite chess group bound by friendship, mutual respect, and love for chess, which included significant players such as future world champion Boris Spassky.
Suetin won the Moscow Championship in 1965 and the Moscow Blitz Championship in 1975, along with numerous international tournaments. He was awarded the International Master title in 1961, and in 1965, the Grandmaster title. His greatest victory came in 1969 at the Chigorin Memorial tournament in Sochi, where he achieved first place.
His playing record includes matches against well-known chess personalities, such as Tigran Petrosian, Anatoly Karpov, and David Bronstein.
Besides his active engagement as a player, Suetin also contributed immensely as a coach and writer. He was a second to Boris Spassky at the World Championship Matches in 1969 and 1972. He also authored multiple books about chess, offering insight into openings, middle games, and end games. These books have been translated into several languages and are widely popular among chess enthusiasts.
Suetin passed away on 10 September 2001 in Moscow, Russia. Despite his demise, he left an indelible mark on the world of chess and continues to influence players and enthusiasts globally.