Soviet chess player Alexander Kazimirovich Tolush was born on 1 May 1910 in Saint Petersburg. His peak World Ranking was 10th (in 6 different months between January 1945 and June 1945). He was considered to be one of the best ten chess players of the world in 1945. According to Chessmetrics his peak rating is 2704. He did not win Word Championship title and did not play World Championship matches.

He represented the Soviet Union in two Chess Olympiads in 1957 and 1961. The Soviet team won gold medal both times, and Tolush won individual gold in 1957 and individual silver in 1961.

Interesting facts:

He worked as a chess journalist and he was a famous chess trainer. He mentored Paul Keres and Boris Spassky as well.

He died on 3 March 1969 in Saint Petersburg at the age of 58.