In Vienna: Felix Blohberger beats David Navara in six-game match

Blohberger 3½-2½ Navara

Felix Blohberger defeated David Navara in a six-game match held from 8 to 13 June at the offices of the Austrian Chess Federation in Vienna. The Austrian grandmaster won the contest by the narrowest possible margin, as five of the six games ended in draws and the only decisive result came in his favour.

The match was organised by Blohberger as part of his attempt to move closer to the 2600 rating mark. The 23-year-old Austrian, currently the country's number four, entered the match rated 2548. Navara, a 14-time Czech champion and long-standing member of the European elite, was rated 2639 at the start of the contest. His peak rating of 2751, reached in 2015, placed him among the world's leading players at the time.

King’s Indian – A Complete Repertoire for Black Part 1 & 2

GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
The King’s Indian Defence has been one of the most dynamic and popular responses to 1.d4 for decades. Legends such as Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, and Hikaru Nakamura have employed it at the highest level – and it continues to fascinate today, as it offers Black not only solidity but also rich attacking and counterattacking opportunities. Its special advantage: the King’s Indian is a universal system, equally effective against 1.d4, 1.c4, and 1.Nf3. Grandmaster Felix Blohberger, multiple Austrian Champion and experienced second, presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black. His approach: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: London System

Emilia Castelao plays the honorary first move in game two of the match | Photo: Sandra Schmidt

The event was staged with support from the Austrian Chess Federation, which provided the playing venue and arbiters. The games started daily at 15.00, with a time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game and a 30-second increment from move one. Blohberger provided post-game analysis on his YouTube channel.

Although the final score was decided by a single win, the match featured a number of closely contested, fighting games. Navara had clear winning chances in the opening game but was unable to convert them. Blohberger later had the better opportunities in game four, a sharp and double-edged struggle in which four queens appeared on the board.

The decisive moment of the match came in game three. Playing from the Cambridge Springs Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, Blohberger reached a knight-versus-bishop endgame with an extra pawn. Navara initially had active defensive resources and appeared to retain drawing chances, but Blohberger gradually increased the pressure and eventually converted the advantage.

Fritz 21

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These results left Blohberger with a 3½-2½ victory. For the Austrian grandmaster, the result was consistent with the match's stated purpose: to gain experience against a stronger and more established opponent while continuing his push towards the 2600 Elo threshold.

David Navara facing Felix Blohberger | Photo: Sandra Schmidt

All games

Game-six analysis by Felix Blohberger

Find more videos of the match on Felix Blohberger's YouTube channel

King’s Indian – A Complete Repertoire for Black Part 1 & 2

GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
The King’s Indian Defence has been one of the most dynamic and popular responses to 1.d4 for decades. Legends such as Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, and Hikaru Nakamura have employed it at the highest level – and it continues to fascinate today, as it offers Black not only solidity but also rich attacking and counterattacking opportunities. Its special advantage: the King’s Indian is a universal system, equally effective against 1.d4, 1.c4, and 1.Nf3. Grandmaster Felix Blohberger, multiple Austrian Champion and experienced second, presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black. His approach: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: London System