GMArturs Neiksans

Arturs Neikšāns was born in Valka in 1983 and learned chess at nine. He became Latvian champion at sixteen in 1999, surpassing Mikhail Tal's record as the youngest winner. After school he largely stepped away from competitive chess, studied public relations and worked in communications, including at Latvia's Ministry of Education and Science.

In 2010 Neikšāns became head coach at Riga Chess School, a position he held until 2021. Returning to intensive chess work, he completed his grandmaster qualification and received the title in 2012. His students included Nikita Meshkovs, Toms Kantāns and Laura Rogule. He won five Latvian championships through 2025 and represented Latvia at seven Olympiads through 2024. He also produced opening courses, collaborated with Igor Kovalenko and coached Levy Rozman.