Insights into the Life and Chess Career of GM David Navara: A Conversation with IM Sagar Shah

The Czech Republic’s chess legend, Grandmaster David Navara, opened up about his life, passion for chess, and living with Asperger’s syndrome in a candid interview with IM Sagar Shah on ChessBase India’s YouTube channel. Navara, a 13-time Czech champion, shared insights into his chess journey, from learning the game at a young age to reaching the peak of the chess world.

Navara’s dedication to chess was evident from a young age, as he quickly rose through the ranks to become an international master at 14 and a grandmaster at 16. Despite breaking the 2700 rating barrier in 2006 and reaching 13th in the world rankings, Navara admitted that he never felt he was good enough to crack the top five. He attributed this to his focus on other interests, such as math and languages, which impacted his chess career.

The chess maestro also reflected on his struggles with mental stability and health issues while being ranked among the world’s elite players. Despite these challenges, Navara expressed no regrets about his decisions and emphasized the importance of his education and friendships outside of chess.

Navara’s passion for books and writing was also highlighted, with the grandmaster co-authoring several chess books and sharing his love for literature. Additionally, Navara discussed his experience with Asperger’s syndrome, describing himself as a “slightly eccentric genius” who had to learn social skills to navigate the world of chess.

As Navara prepares to compete in the European Championship, he remains grateful for his journey in chess and looks forward to continuing his career both as a player and a coach. With his unique perspective and unwavering dedication to the game, Navara continues to inspire chess enthusiasts around the world.