Power Play 20: Test Your Attacking Chess
Grandmaster Daniel King presents ten exemplary attacking performances. At key moments he stops and asks you to play a move. King then gives feedback on the most plausible continuations. It’s the next best thing to having your own personal trainer!
Until recently we might have called Kirill Alekseenko the most surprising candidate, but that changed of late. You see Daniel King had planned to only make eight videos on his YouTube channel for his preview on the candidate tournament 2020, but things took a different turn, due to the unforeseen withdrawal by fellow candidate Teimour Radjabov. Now the spotlight is on Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Daniel King is checking out if he is a worthy contestant. (Spoiler alert: He is!)
Vachier-Lagrave was the first reserve due to his current Elo rating of 2767. He also is one of a rare few to top the magical 2800 Elo level in 2016 and 2017. Plus, he is the second and third best rapid and blitz player in the world respectively.
Daniel King points out that 'MVL' can play with less much pressure, because of his unexpected entry, which makes him a fearsome opponent. He is good in endgames, has well-prepared openings and a lot of experience. Surprisingly enough, this is actually his very first appearance in a Candidates tournament.
De passage à Marseille-Echecs, en attente du visa pour Ekaterinburg pic.twitter.com/eJ8hrQX3pW
— AlphaEchecs (@AlphaEchecs) March 10, 2020
Vachier-Lagrave training with this second, GM Étienne Bacrot