Alexander (Alexandar) Kristov Tsvetkov (Cwetkow) (Bulgarian: Александър Христов Цветков) (7 October 1914 in Topolovgrad, Bulgaria – 29 May 1990[1]) was a Bulgarian chess master.

Alexander Tsvetkov vs. Luděk Pachman (Zonal, 1947)

In April 1936, he won a game against Alexander Alekhine at Alekhine's Simultaneous Exhibition in Sofia.[2] He was Bulgarian Champion in 1938, 1940 (jointly), 1945, 1948 (jointly), 1950, and 1951.[3]

Tsvetkov represented Bulgaria in Chess Olympiads.

  • In 1936, at second board in 3rd unofficial Olympiad in Munich (+3 –13 =2);
  • In 1939, at first board in the 8th Chess Olympiad in Buenos Aires (+7 –5 =4);
  • In 1954, at fourth board in the 11th Chess Olympiad in Amsterdam (+2 –2 =7);
  • In 1956, at first reserve board in the 12th Chess Olympiad in Moscow (+3 –1 =5).[4]

In September 1942, he tied for 7–8th in Munich (Wertungsturnier – Qualification Tournament; Gösta Danielsson won) at Europameisterschaft (European Championship; Alekhine won).[5]

After World War II, he played for Bulgaria in some friendly matches: BUL–CSR (1949), BUL–GDR (1953), BUL–RUS (1958).[6]

In 1947, he took 16th in Moscow (1st Chigorin Memorial; Mikhail Botvinnik won). In 1947, he took 10th in Hilversum (zonal; Albéric O'Kelly de Galway won). In 1951, he tied for 13–14th in Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad, zonal; Luděk Pachman won). In 1964, he tied for 4–9th in Polanica Zdrój (Rubinstein Memorial).[7]

Tsvetkov was awarded the International Master (IM) title in 1950. He was the first Bulgarian player to get the title. [8]

References and notes edit

  1. ^ "The chess games of Alexandar Tsvetkov". Chessgames.com. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  2. ^ Chess Archaeology
  3. ^ bulgaria
  4. ^ OlimpBase :: the encyclopaedia of team chess
  5. ^ Gillam, Anthony J.:Munich 1942, European Chess Championship. The Chess Player, Nottingham. ISBN 1-901034-46-1
  6. ^ OlimpBase :: the encyclopaedia of team chess
  7. ^ Litmanowicz, Władysław; Giżycki, Jerzy (1987) [1986]. Szachy od A do Z. Wydawnictwo Sport i Turystyka Warszawa. ISBN 978-83-217-2481-2.
  8. ^ Gaige, Jeremy (1987). Chess Personalia, A Biobibliography. McFarland. p. 432. ISBN 0-7864-2353-6.