Vladimir Vigman

Vladimir Vigman (Russian: Владимир Яковлевич Вигман; Latvian: Vladimirs Vigmans; born (1952-05-10)May 10, 1952 in Riga) is a Latvian draughts player in International draughts and Draughts-64. Three-times was second at World Draughts-64 Championships (Brazilian draughts) (1985, 1987, 1989), three-times USSR champion in Russian draughts (1976—1978), draughts trainer and journalist, author of books on draughts. International grandmaster in International, Brazilian and Russian draughts.

In 1968 Vladimir Vigman get title national master. In 1970 won silver medal USSR championship at Russian draughts, then from 1976 to 1978 won gold medal. In 1978 he became national grandmaster. Also participated in USSR championship at International draughts.

In 1984 Vladimir Vigman took sixth place at World Draughts Championships in Dakar. At first World Draughts-64 Championships (at Brazilian draughts) in 1985 he was second after Aleksander Kandaurov. At the next championships in 1987 also was second after Alexander Schwarzman. And at the third championships in 1989 Vladimir Vigman had the same result as Alexander Schwarzman, but became again second because at that moment exist rule which give preference current world champion.

Since 2007 Vigman played in Salou Open.

As a sports journalist, he began to work in the journal «Шашки» in 1971 (Riga), later became Chief Editor. In 1986 Vigman wrote book about draughts «Радость творчества». In 1991 publicate next book «Grand Master, Surrender!» which contain 300 parties of draughts grandmaster.

Vladimir Vigman invented game in which each player have 24 pieces (two full set) — one on the white squares, second on the black. Each player play two game simultaneously: one game at white squares, other game at dark squares. Total result is sum results of both games.