Hromadka Karel (23.04.1887 – 16.07.1956)
A leading member of the Czechoslovakian chess in the 30’s who gave his name to few lines of the Benoni Defense. Army officer. Czech Champion in 1913 and 1921 (joint).
Best results: Cologne 1911, 2-5th; Vilnius II 1912, 1st; Vienna 1913, 1st; Baden 1912, 7-8th; Prague 1937, 5-6th. A participant in the Olympiads of Paris in 1924 where he won his preliminary group, London in 1927 and Munich in 1936. At the outbreak of World War
A participant in the Olympiads of Paris in 1924 where he won his preliminary group, London in 1927 and Munich in 1936. At the outbreak of World War
At the outbreak of World War I Hromadka was recruited into the Austro-Hungarian army and served on the Eastern Front in Galicia fighting first the Czarist Russian army then the German and finally the Red Army. After the war, Hramadka served in the army until the Nazi occupation regime in Czechoslovakia forced him to retire. In 1946 he was arrested and accused of sabotage against the communist authorities but was soon rehabilitated with the rank of colonel. After failing to commit suicide by jumping from a fifth floor, he was he was interred for two years in a psychiatric institution.
Historical ELO: 2440.
