Eight national titles by 42 years of age
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
Diego Flores won the 2025 Argentine Championship, securing his eighth national title and thereby equalling Miguel Najdorf’s long-standing record for the most victories in the history of the event. Flores scored 8½/11 in the 12-player round-robin held at Buenos Aires City Hall from 25 November to 5 December. He was the only unbeaten player in the field and entered the competition as the top seed.
Flores began the tournament with two draws but soon established himself as the leader by collecting three consecutive wins. Once ahead, he maintained control of the standings throughout the event. The final round brought additional historical weight: Flores, leading by a full point, faced his closest rival, Federico Pérez Ponsa, the 2021 national champion. A draw would secure Flores the title, and after a balanced struggle, the game was agreed drawn on move 37, confirming the champion’s record-equalling achievement.
Diego Flores playing white against Federico Pérez Ponsa | Photo: Infobae
Pérez Ponsa finished second with 7½/11, ending one point behind Flores. Diego Valerga and Leonardo Tristán both concluded the tournament on 7/11. Valerga claimed third place due to having recorded more wins. The top of the table was thus occupied by experienced grandmasters, but notable performances were also seen among the younger participants.
Faustino Oro, aged 12, delivered a solid showing, scoring 6½/11 to share fifth place. Although expectations were high following his strong run at the World Cup in Goa – where he was the only Argentine to reach the second round – his result was consistent and competitive. Oro will now continue a demanding schedule, including participation in the forthcoming 4th Magistral Szmetan-Giardelli in Buenos Aires – a 10-player round-robin – where he will have another opportunity to chase a GM norm (he will need a 5½/9 score to get it).
Faustino Oro is accustomed to receiving honours – will he manage to receive the Grand Master honour soon? | Photo: Argentine Chess Federation (FADA)
The 2025 edition, marking the centenary celebration of the Argentine Championship, produced a fitting storyline. By matching Najdorf’s record, Flores became the only living player to have won the national title eight times, remarkably doing so over a span of twenty years (2005–2025), compared with Najdorf’s twenty-six years (1949–1975).
Oro 0-1 Flores (Round 10)
Final standings
All games
EXPAND YOUR CHESS HORIZONS
Data, plans, practice – the new Opening Report In ChessBase there are always attempts to show the typical plans of an opening variation. In the age of engines, chess is much more concrete than previously thought. But amateurs in particular love openings with clear plans, see the London System. In ChessBase ’26, three functions deal with the display of plans. The new opening report examines which piece moves or pawn advances are significant for each important variation. In the reference search you can now see on the board where the pieces usually go. If you start the new Monte Carlo analysis, the board also shows the most common figure paths.
