Life at Play

The Washington Post and The Huffington Post. Kavalek could speak from experience as he had played with or met all the chess greats of the twentieth century. He assisted Bobby Fischer during the legendary Match of the Century in Reykjavik in 1972, and on various occasions he was the second of Nigel Short and Jan Timman. He also was the tournament director of the prestigious World Cup organized by the Grandmasters Association. But first and foremost, he was an elite player, winning countless tournaments and brilliancy prizes. At the end of his life, Kavalek started writing his memoirs. With humour, wit and passion, he put on paper the compelling story of his adventurous life and rich chess career. When he passed away in 2021, he had all but finished the book he had been working on with the Czech-American writer Jan Novak, who prepared the manuscript for publication. Kavalek's memoir makes for compelling reading and evokes his fascinating journey in life and the chess world. His story is supplemented by more than fifty of his best games, many with Kavalek's entertaining comments.