Vratislav Hora (1928-2008)

Strong Czech player and noted trainer 

„Teacher of Grandmasters“

Biography, selected games, photos etc 

First edition 2009 (150 copies)

Ing. Vratislav Hora. Ucitel velmistru (cover title).  

No place, (chess clubs SK Stare Město + SK Borsice), (2009). Orig. softcover. First edition. Many photos, 76 pages. In Czech. Size 20 cm. Weight 120 grams.

Very good:  light signs of use, no flaws, internally clean and with no writings.

Vratislav Hora was strong Czech player – Czechoslovak Army champion in 1966, he participated in the final of Czechoslovak champ. in 1965.

He was a high army officer (lieutenant colonel in his forties) but his army career ended after 1968, when he opposed the occupation of Czechoslovakia by Soviet troops. This was not good for his army career – but it was very good for chess: he became a trainer and was extremely successful.

This was not good for Czechoslovak army and for him – but it was very good for chess: he became a trainer and he was very succesfull. Vratislav Hora was considered as one of the bests trainers in Czechoslovakia during the 1970s–1990s – among his students were later grandmasters Hracek, Babula, Mokry, Pokorna, Jackova, Repkova and others.

That is why the booklet has title „Ucitel velmistru“ = Teacher of Grandmasters. This is the First edition. I was told that this First edition was published in 150 copies – however this fact is not stated in the book. (the second edition from 2014 reportedly had a print run of 200 copies).

The book was published by South-Moravian chess clubs Stare Mesto and Borsice. It was not distributed through bookshops and was available only locally among chess players and friends.

The book includes:

• ca 15 annotated games of Vratislav Hora
• biography, ca 30 photos and 12 crosstables
• samples of his trainer articles
• remembrances of his students and friends etc.

xxx

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