Ftacnik Lubomir (30.10.1957)

Slovakian Grandmaster (1980). Ftacnik was the European Junior Champion 1976-7 and Czech Champion in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1985.  An author, journalist, and coach. Leading Slovakian player in the 1990’s he was a participant in five Olympiads.

Best results: winner or shared first at Cienfuegos 1980, equal 1^st; Dortmund 1981, equal 1^st; Esbjerg 1982, 1^st; Trnava 1983, 1^st; Altensteig 1987 (IX), 1^st and Baden-Baden Open 1987, 1^st.  He drew a match with Vladimir Georgiev 2-2 in 1987. He also won in Haninge 1989, the Zonal 1.4 1990, Stara Zagora 1990, Ischia 1996, Capelle 1997, Hamburg 1998, Australia 2000, came equal first at the National Open 2006 and at the World Open 2008.

Ftacnik was the author of the CD, 1000 Checkmates (1999), There is chess below 2700, Gewinnen in 20 Zügen (1998), Novi Sad 1990 (1991) and Winning the Won Game (with Kopec, 2004), and the book The Sicilian Defence (2010).

Peak rating: 2618 in 2001.