Mednis Edmar John (22.03.1937 – 13.02.2002)
US International Master born in Latvia. Former chemical engineer, writer and journalist. Vice World Junior Champion in 1955 behind Boris Spassky.
He has been a frequent member of U.S. international teams. His best US championship result was equal third in 1961-62.
Best results: Houston 1974 3rd, New York 1980, 4th; Barcelona 1980, 1-2nd and Puerto Rico 1984, 1-2nd.
He was on the 1962 and 1970 U.S. Olympiad teams. He died suddenly at the age of 64 of cardiac arrest.
Author of How to Beat Bobby Fischer (1975), How Karpov Wins (1975), How to Beat the Russians (1978),The Modern Defense (1978), Practical Endgame Lessons (1978), Open Games (1980), Practical Rook Endings (1980), How to Play Good Opening Moves (1982), King Power in Chess (1982), From the Opening into the Endgame (1983), From the Middlegame into the Endgame (1987), Questions and Answers in Practical Opening Play (1987), Strategic Themes in the Endgame (1987), How to Defeat a Superior Opponent (1989), Practical Bishop Endings (1990), How to Be a Complete Tournament Player (1991), Rate Your Endgame (1992), Strategic Chess (1993),Practical Knight Endings (1993), Advanced Endgame Strategies (1996), Practical Opening Tips (1997), The King in the Endgame (1997), The King in the Opening (1998), Practical Endgame Tips (1998), The King in the Middlegame (1999), Better Endgame Play (2000).
Peak rating: 2510 in 1979.
