Rashid Gibyatovich Nezhmetdinov (1912–1974) was an eminent Soviet chess player, chess writer, and checkers player.

Nezhmetdinov was born in Aktubinsk, which is now Aktobe, in a Tatar family. His parents died when he was very young, leaving him and two other siblings to be raised by

their brother. The orphaned, impoverished family moved to Kazan, Tatar ASSR. Nezhmetdinov had a natural talent for both chess and checkers. He learned chess by

watching others play at a chess club, whereupon he challenged one of the players, won, and then challenged another player, winning that game as well.

Nezhmetdinov was a fierce, imaginative, attacking player who beat many of the best players in the world.