Happened Today in the Chess World - May 25, 2024

THE INCREDIBLE HULAK

GM Krunoslav Hulak - source: https://www.schakers.info/

Today, we remember Grandmaster Krunoslav Hulak, born on May 25, 1951, in Osijek, eastern Croatia.
Krunoslav was a "late bloomer." He took his initial steps in chess at the "Graničar" club in his hometown but was far from being considered a prodigy, a reflection of the times. 
Everything changed for him in 1971 when he relocated to Zagreb and joined the "Mladost" club, where he would remain for the rest of his life.
Within three years, by 1974, he had earned the title of international master; by 1976, he had achieved the rank of grandmaster. 
From that moment on, he emerged as Croatia's leading grandmaster in the late 70s and 80s, competing successfully on the international stage, winning numerous prestigious tournaments, and holding his own against the world's top players. A glance at his game records in the database shows draws against Torre, Sosonko, Reshevsky, Timman, Miles, Panno, Polugaevsky, and Seirawan and victories over Adorjan, Velimirovic, Romanishin, and Balashov, among others.

Albin Planinc vs Krunoslav Hulak - Yugoslav Championship (1977), Zagreb YUG
Black to move

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