Jānis Klovāns was a Latvian chess grandmaster and one of the world's leading players, particularly in correspondence chess. Born on April 9, 1935, in Ruba, Latvia, he actively participated in over-the-board (OTB) and correspondence chess tournaments.
During his OTB career, which spanned over 50 years, he achieved significant victories including the Latvian championship ten times, the Baltic Republics championship, and the USSR Senior Championship. Although he didn't achieve the prestigious title of Grandmaster (GM) until 1997, at age 62, he was nevertheless a competitive player, earning the International Master title in 1965 and competing in several World Chess Championships.
Klovāns' career in correspondence chess also yielded significant results. He earned the title of International Correspondence Chess Grandmaster (ICCGM) in 1980 and won the individual World Correspondence Chess Championship twice, in 1980 and 1993.
Besides his playing career, Klovāns worked as a chess coach at the Riga Chess School, helping to produce a generation of successful Latvian chess players. He was also an author of chess-related literature.
Klovāns passed away on October 5, 2010, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in both OTB and correspondence chess. He is remembered not just for his late recognition as a GM, but also for his dedication to the game and his significant contributions to Latvian chess culture.