Alberts Melnbārdis has become known as an active public person in the sports organization. Initially he was active in the Latvian Weightlifting Federation foundation and also he was chairman of this organization. At the age of 29, Alberts Melnbārdis learned to play chess and quickly became a good player. In 1922 he won the Riga Chess Club Tournament. In 1928, Alberts Melnbārdis participated in the 2nd Chess Olympiad in The Hague, where he played only one game. In 1935, he defeated the World Chess Champion Alexander Alekhine in a simultaneous game session. From 1933 to 1938 Alberts Melnbārdis led the Latvian Chess Union. During his activities, he has organized two international chess tournaments in Ķemeri (1937, 1939), as well as significantly increased chess life in Latvia. Alberts Melnbārdis was also the editor-in-chief of the chess magazine "Šacha māksla" (1937-39). During World War II, he worked for the Ostland's Department of Physical Education and Sports, where he was responsible for chess.