Karlis Ozols; Chess Champ Allegedly Killed for Nazis

Karlis Ozols, 88, a former Australian chess champion linked to a World War II Nazi killing squad. Ozols was allegedly a lieutenant in the Arajs Kommando, a Latvian unit organized by the Germans that killed an estimated 30,000 Jews, Gypsies and suspected Communists. According to witnesses and documents, Ozols led a Kommando company that killed 12,000 Jews in Belarus. He allegedly ordered his men to carry out mass killings and shot some victims himself. After the war, Ozols immigrated to Australia and became a citizen. In 1958, he was the country’s chess champion and later represented Australia in international tournaments. Australia’s Special Investigations Unit built a substantial case against Ozols, but was disbanded before action could be taken. Ozols denied any involvement in the European killings, but the allegations cast a pall over any plans for the type of memorial chess tournament normally accorded the death of a champion player. His death was announced Sunday in Melbourne, Australia.