In the memoir book 'If I Am Lucky', Vlastimil Hort reflects on his chess beginnings and important milestones in his personal life. He presents the personalities of pre-war Czech chess, such as Opočenský and Duras, reminds readers of legends of the royal game like Capablanca and Alekhine, and brings closer his famous contemporaries Fischer, Smyslov, Spassky, and others, while not forgetting the chess players from his hometown of Kladno. The author also conveys the atmosphere of the famous chess café U Nováků on Wenceslas Square. Vlastimil Hort, who was among the top echelon of world chess at the peak of his career, successfully played in many tournaments and represented Czechoslovakia at chess Olympiads, emigrated to Germany in 1985. In the book, he reflects on what preceded his departure across the border. As a person who has lived in the country of our western neighbors for over three decades, he shares his feelings about the political and economic developments in Germany after its reunification. He also expresses concerns about the Islamization of Europe.
