Jan Foltys

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Jan Foltys (13 October 1908, Svinov – 11 March 1952, Ostrava), was a Czech chess master.

[edit] Biography

In 1933, he tied for 8-12th in Mnichovo Hradiště (Münchengratz) (13th Czech championships). In 1933, he tied for 5-7th in Moravska Ostrava (Mährisch-Ostrau). The event was won by Ernst Grünfeld. In 1935, he tied for 5-7th in Luhačovice. The event was won by Karel Opočensky. In 1936, he took 3rd in Poděbrady (14th CSR-ch). The event was won by Salo Flohr. In 1937, he took 4th in Margate. In 1937, he tied for 3rd-4th in Prague. The event was won by Paul Keres. In 1937, he tied for 2nd-4th in Rogaška Slatina (Rohitsch Sauerbrunn). The event was won by Mieczysław Najdorf. In 1937, he tied for 9-10th in Jurata (4th POL-ch). The event was won by Savielly Tartakower. In 1938, he took 3rd in Prague (15th CSR-ch). In 1938, he tied for 10-12th in Lodz. The event was won by Vasja Pirc. In 1938, he took 11th in Ljubljana (Laibach). The event was won by Borislav Kostić. In May 1939, he took 7th in Stuttgart (1st European Tournament). The event was won by Efim Bogoljubow.

He played at first board for Czechoslovakia at unofficial Olympiad in Munich in 1936 (+7 – 1 =11), at second board at the 7th Chess Olympiad in Stockholm in 1937 (+7 – 2 =9), and at second board at the 8th Olympiad in Buenos Aires in 1939 (+8 – 3 =5).

During WW II, Foltys played in several strong tournaments. In 1940, he won in Rakovnik (B&M-ch, Protektorat der Böhmen-Mähren Meisterschaft). In 1941, he won in Trenčanske Teplice (Trentschin-Teplitz). In September 1941, he took 7th in Munich (2 nd European Tournament). The event was won by Gösta Stoltz. In 1941, he drew (6 : 6) a match with Opočenský in Prague. In September 1942, he tied for 3rd-5th with Bogoljubow and Richter], behind Alexander Alekhine, and Paul Keres, in Munich (1st European Championship, Europameisterschaft). In December 1942, he took 3rd, behind Alekhine and Klaus Junge, in Prague (Duras Memorial). In April 1943, he tied for 4-5th in Prague. The event was won by Alekhine. In June 1943, he took 5th in Salzburg. The event was won by Keres and Alekhine. In 1943, he tied for 1st-2nd with František Zita in Prague (B&M-ch). In 1943, he took 2 nd, behind Čeněk Kottnauer, in Zlin. I 1944, he took 4 th in Brno (Brunn) (B&M-ch). The event was won by Opočenský.

After the war, Foltys parcipated in tournaments and team matches. In 1946, he tied for 4-5th in Prague. The event was won by Miguel Najdorf. In 1946, he took 3 rd, behind Luděk Pachman, and Miroslav Katětov, in Ostrava (CSR-ch).

He played in twelve international matches. In 1947, he won (1.5 : 0.5) against Prins in The Hague (NED – CSR); won (2 : 0) against Golombek in London (GB – CSR); won (2 : 0) against Ritson-Morry in Birmingham (MCCU – CSR); lost (0 : 2) to Rossolimo in Paris (FRA – CSR); lost (0.5 : 1.5) to Pirc in Zagreb (YUG – CSR). In 1948, he won (1.5 : 0.5) against Gligorić in Spindleruv Mlyn (CSR – YUG). In 1949, he won (2 : 0) against Makarczyk in Katowice (POL – CSR); won (1.5 : 0.5) against Lokvenc in Vienna (AUT – CSR); drew (0.5 : 0.5) with Kovacs in Vienna (Wien – CSR); lost (0.5 : 1.5) to Euwe in Prague (CSR – NED); drew (1 : 1) with Platt in Prague (CSR – AUT), and won (2.5 : 0.5) against Szabados in Venice (ITA – CSR).

Foltys had his best tournament result at Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) and Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad) in 1948. In the same year, he took 3rd in Budapest. In 1949, he tied for 1st with Puc in Vienna, tied for 4-7th in Venice, and took 6th in Trenčanske Teplice. In 1950, he took 7th in Szczawno Zdrój (Salzbrunn). In 1950, he took 13th in Amsterdam. He qualified in Mariánské Lázně in 1951 for the interzonal of Saltsjöbaden 1952, but died of leukaemia at Ostrava in 1952 before it took place.

Foltys was awarded the the IM title in 1950.