Koblentz Alexander Naftalievich (03.09.1916 – 09.12.1993)

Latvian International Master, a famous coach, and a journalist.

Koblentz was one of the organizers of the chess movement in Latvia and the head of the Republic Chess Club during the period 1966-1972.  He was the coach and second of Mikhail Tal from 1955 until 1979 and of the Soviet team in 1956 and 1960.

Koblentz was the champion of Riga in 1937, 1951 and 1979, the champion of Latvia in 1941, 1945, 1946 and 1949 and the winner in Brno 1937. The author of many articles and books and the editor of the Latvian chess magazine Sahs. He used to say “There are two types of sacrifices: correct ones and mine”.