Born in 2010, Peter Balint achieved his second IM norm with a fifth-place finish in the KrakΓ³w Open. The young Austrian FM employed the opening repertoire of his coach, GM Felix Blohberger, and produced a very strong game featuring what Blohberger described as an “instructive endgame”.
The game was played at the “XXXVI MiΔdzynarodowy Festiwal Szachowy CRACOVIA 2025”. A total of 148 players travelled to KrakΓ³w for the A Open. After nine rounds, Dutch player Casper Schoppen finished in first place, half a point ahead of Poland’s Szymon Gumularz, the top seed, who had defeated him in the penultimate round.
For this report, however, Balint’s strong performance was far more important. Blohberger’s pupil remained unbeaten over nine rounds and secured his second IM norm with five wins and four draws. Finishing in an excellent fifth place was a welcome bonus. In round eight, Balint produced a very fine game against Greek FM Hristos Alexiadis, which he began with 1.Nf3 and a setup recommended by Blohberger in his course.
Looking for a versatile and strategic opening repertoire that doesnβt rely on memorising endless variations? In this course, Grandmaster Felix Blohberger delivers a complete opening repertoire for White, centred around the flexible move 1.Nf3. Whether youβre a club player or a seasoned competitor, this course offers a solid yet dynamic approach that adapts to various playing styles and opponents.
Video sample: Introduction
Video sample: Grunfeld – Sidelines
Here is the game analysis by the proud coach:
Looking for a versatile and strategic opening repertoire that doesnβt rely on memorising endless variations? In this course, Grandmaster Felix Blohberger delivers a complete opening repertoire for White, centred around the flexible move 1.Nf3. Whether youβre a club player or a seasoned competitor, this course offers a solid yet dynamic approach that adapts to various playing styles and opponents.
Video sample: Introduction
Video sample: Grunfeld – Sidelines
Final standings of the KrakΓ³w Open after 9 rounds:
| Pl. | SNr | Name | Rtg | Club | Pkt | TBΒ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | GM | Schoppen, Casper | 2567 | 7,5 | 46,5 | ||
| 2 | 1 | GM | Gumularz, Szymon | 2606 | KSz Polonia WrocΕaw | 7 | 49 | |
| 3 | 4 | GM | Polak, Tomas | 2444 | 7 | 47,5 | ||
| 4 | 5 | GM | Firman, Nazar | 2441 | 7 | 46 | ||
| 5 | 6 | FM | Balint, Peter | 2427 | 7 | 45,5 | ||
| 6 | 9 | FM | Czernek, Tymon | 2398 | LKSz GCKiP Czarna | 6,5 | 41,5 | |
| 7 | 38 | FM | Szczurek, Krzysztof | 2257 | KSz HETMAN Katowice | 6,5 | 40,5 | |
| 8 | 18 | FM | Vingris, Mikelis | 2339 | 6,5 | 34,5 | ||
| 9 | 35 | FM | Kucza, Karol | 2263 | OTSz OstrΓ³w Wielkopolski | 6 | 48,5 | |
| 10 | 11 | FM | Alexiadis, Hristos | 2370 | 6 | 46 |
–> Full information on Chess-Results
