Grandmaster Lubomir Kavalek (born Czechoslovakia, August 9, 1943) celebrated a milestone in his life on August 9.  Though long since retired from active competition, Lubomir remains very active in chess as a writer and correspondent.  His columns in Huffington Post and the old Washington Post have made him one of the most widely reader writers on the game today.
 

Kavalek, 1962.  In his youth Lubomir showed  promise  and won his fair share of tournaments.  He quickly became one of the top GMs in Europe, and when a mature grandmaster found himself counted amongst the top-tem in the world.   Kavalek’s style of play  was aggressive and dynamic, but possessing excellent understanding of position and having a very  fine endgame technique.  He played Sicilians and KingsIndians with Black, never afraid of mixing it up.
 

Manila, 1973.  Fischer, Kavalek, Campomanes. Kavalek was one of few that Fischer could have confidence and trust in

Below are just a few Kavalek-tactics for my readers to enjoy.

Quinteros

Kavalek

WHITE TO PLAY AND MATE IN 8!

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Zuidema

Kavalek

HOW SHOULD WHITE CONTINUE?

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Neukirch

Kavalek

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!

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SOLUTIONS

Kavalek L–Quinteros Miguel: (Germany, 1983)  26.Qf1!  (26.g4 is tempting but not winning by force after 26…Kh4!)  26…Rfe8 (26…Rg8  27.Qd1 is mate to follow)  27.Rb3! 1-0  There is no defence to the mate threats.

Kavalek L–Zuidema Coen:  (Israel, 1964)  16.Rxe5!! dxe5 17.Ne4  White has dangerous threats.  17… g5!? (To be considered is  17…Kh8 18.Nxf6 Qd4  but after 19.Qf5! g6 20.Qh3 Kg7 21.Re1! the slightest slip by Black can be fatal; and ofcourse, not  17…Qd5? 18.Bxf6 ) 18.Nxf6+ Kg7 19.Nh5+ Kg6 20.Rd1! Qe7 21.g4! Qe6 ( 21…gxh4? 22.Qf5#  or 21…f5? 22.Qxc6+ ) and now the simplest continuation is  22.Rd7! e4 23.Qd1 and Black is struggling to find moves.

Kavalek L–Neukirch Detlef :  (Poland, 1964) 21.Nf6+!! gxf6 ( 21…Nxf6 22.exf6 Bd5 23.Qg4 g6 24.Rxd5 etc) 22.exf6 Rxb2 ( Better is 22…Bc5 23.Bd4 Qc7 though it hard to see what Black is going to do after 24.Be4 ) 23.Qg5+ Kf8 24.Qg7+ Ke8 25.fxe7! 1-0  White mates or wins material.

Other posts by GM Kevin Spraggett:
Today's Insight into Chess
Tactical workout-2
Tactical workout
Knight-mares
6-time Portuguese Chess Champion Rui Damaso's Chess Brilliancies
Ode to the Kings's Gambit
Good news for old chess players
Lothar Schmid
Chess un-plugged!
Deceptively simple chess
Erich Eliskases
Robert Byrne

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