Image

GM David Navara

Czech Republic

Born on March 27, 1985, in Prague

Elo std: 2665
Rapid: 2671
Blitz: 2636

GMT: 2023 (3rd), 2018 (5th), 2015 (4th)
MTO: –
 
Biography
David Navara was born on March 27, 1985, in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). He grew up in a family that nurtured intellectual pursuits—his father is a mathematician, and his mother is a dentist—which likely influenced his analytical approach to chess. Navara discovered the game at age six when he stumbled upon a chess book and taught himself the rules, sparking a lifelong passion. His early talent was evident, and he began training under notable Czech coaches, including Miroslav Vanka, IM Josef Přibyl, and GMs Luděk Pachman and Vlastimil Jansa. This mentorship helped him excel in youth competitions and laid the foundation for his professional career.
Navara’s development was rapid. By 14, he became an International Master (IM), and at 16, he earned the Grandmaster (GM) title in 2002, just days before his 17th birthday. Beyond chess, he pursued higher education, graduating from Charles University in Prague with a degree in logic from the Faculty of Philosophy, though he humorously describes himself as a “bad student” due to his focus on chess. Known for his humility and fair play, Navara has been open about living with Asperger’s syndrome, a condition he believes has fueled his intense focus on chess without hindering his career. He remains a private individual, rarely sharing details about his personal life, but his love for books (in Czech, English, and Russian) and his writing—seen in works like My Chess World—reflect his introspective nature.
Chess Successes
David Navara is widely regarded as the strongest Czech chess player in history, with a career marked by consistent excellence and remarkable achievements:
  • Early Achievements: Navara’s talent shone in youth events, where he won multiple world medals. In 2001, at 16, he debuted for the Czech national team at the European Team Chess Championship, scoring an impressive 7/9 and defeating five GMs, achieving a performance rating of 2775.
  • Czech National Championship: Navara has dominated the Czech Championship, winning it 13 times (2004, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024), surpassing the record of his mentor Luděk Pachman. His first title came in 2004 with 8/11 against a field of eight GMs.
  • Grandmaster Title: Awarded the GM title in 2002, Navara’s rapid rise saw him break the 2700 Elo barrier by 2006, peaking at 2751 in May 2015, which ranked him 13th in the world—his highest global ranking.
  • Chess Olympiads: Navara has been a cornerstone of the Czech team. At the 2006 Turin Olympiad, he scored 8.5/12 on the first board, including a win over Peter Svidler. In 2012 in Istanbul, he excelled on the second board with 9.5/11, earning an individual gold medal and a performance rating of 2869.
  • FIDE World Cup: In 2011, Navara reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup, defeating strong players before losing to Alexander Grischuk in a winning position. A notable moment came in his match against Alexander Moiseenko, where, after accidentally touching a piece in time trouble, he offered a draw despite a winning position, earning a fair play award.
  • Notable Tournaments:
    • 2003 Rubinstein Memorial: Won the open section, an early sign of his potential.
    • 2004 European Championship: Finished 6th (7.5/11), drawing with champion Vassily Ivanchuk despite being seeded 14th.
    • 2007 Wijk aan Zee: In his supertournament debut, dubbed the “Navara Express,” he scored 6.5/13 (+3−3=7), beating Magnus Carlsen and Ruslan Ponomariov and drawing with Kramnik, Anand, and Topalov.
    • 2007 Ordix Open: Won this rapid event in Mainz with 9.5/11.
    • 2011 Tata Steel B: Tied for first with Luke McShane (8.5/13), earning a spot in the 2012 “A” group.
    • 2014 European Blitz Championship: Claimed the title with 19/22, showcasing his rapid skills.
  • Team Success: Navara led Novoborský ŠK to the Czech Extraliga title in 2011-12, scoring 8.5/10 against seven GMs and three IMs. He also plays in leagues like France’s Top 12 for Mulhouse Philidor.
  • Current Standing: As of March 2025, Navara’s classical Elo is around 2663, with rapid at 2671 and blitz at 2636. He has remained the Czech Republic’s top player for over a decade and consistently ranks in the global top 50.
Navara’s style is uncompromising and combative, often leading to thrilling games. His victories over elite players like Carlsen, Ponomariov, and Svidler, combined with his sportsmanship—exemplified by the 2011 World Cup incident—have made him a beloved figure. While he acknowledges never reaching the top five globally, his peak in the top 15 and sustained excellence cement his legacy as a Czech chess icon with potential for further impact.