Czech-American brainiac, Lubomir Kavalek, was one of the best chess players in the world. The World Chess Federation awarded him the titles of International Master and International Grandmaster in 1965. Kavalek was also a celebrated author and award-winning columnist, as well as a chess coach, organizer, commentator, and teacher. He was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and fled the 1968 Soviet invasion by using his championship winnings to purchase vodka to bribe the border guards into allowin... moreCzech-American brainiac, Lubomir Kavalek, was one of the best chess players in the world. The World Chess Federation awarded him the titles of International Master and International Grandmaster in 1965. Kavalek was also a celebrated author and award-winning columnist, as well as a chess coach, organizer, commentator, and teacher. He was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and fled the 1968 Soviet invasion by using his championship winnings to purchase vodka to bribe the border guards into allowing him to cross into West Germany. Two years later, he immigrated to the U.S., where he won more championships. Lubomir was married to his wife, Irena, for nearly 50 years, and in that time, they had one son, Steven. Mr. Kavalek died peacefully in a restful slumber at 77 years old, passing in his Reston, Virginia home.
