Salme Rootare


Salme Rootare was an Estonian chess master.
She was fifteen times Estonian Champion.
Salme tied for 4-5th at Plovdiv 1959. She beat Ludmilla Rudenko, the all-USSR women's champ 1950-1953, at least once, in 1956 in recorded tournament play, when Rudenko, believing she was would be mated on her next move, resigned. It wasn't until later that both players realised that Rudenko had a saving move.
Awarded the WIM title in 1957.
Salme was married to Vidrik Rootare, known as Frits, and they had a daughter, Reet.