Daniel King goes over Baadur Jobava's stunning win in Samarkand

by ChessBase
9/19/2026 – Baadur Jobava produced a striking tactical win in round three of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, defeating Finland's Toivo Keinanen in 30 moves. Playing white from an Exchange French, the Georgian grandmaster unleashed 17.Bxh6! and followed it with a series of precise attacking manoeuvres after Black accepted the sacrifice. The game highlighted Jobava's trademark tactical sharpness, and was analysed in full by GM Daniel King. | Image: Daniel King's Power Play Chess YouTube channel
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Brilliant!

Baadur Jobava, one of the most creative GMs in the circuit, is playing on board three for Georgia at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. Jobava is the highest-rated player in his team's lineup, but fielding him on board three might be a strategy by captain Zurab Sturua to give the sharp tactician a chance to play with the white pieces more often than not.

Georgia began the Olympiad with two wins and a draw, beating Ethiopia and Finland while being held to a draw by lower-rated Montenegro in round two.

In Friday's third round, Jobava played white on board two against Finnish IM Toivo Keinanen. Out of an Exchange Variation of the French Defence - i.e. by no means the sharpest of opening systems - Jobava obtained a memorable win, featuring a number of remarkable tactical shots.

It all started with 17.Bxh6!

Though Black was already in trouble, Keinanen's best reply was 17...b4, while 17...Bxf2+ was also stronger than what was seen in the game. Keinanen went for 17...gxh6?, allowing Jobava to showcase his sharp tactical eye, as he continued to find precise manoeuvres until getting a remarkable 30-move victory.

GM Daniel King analysed the game in full on his long-standing, popular YouTube channel.

Jobava 1-0 Keinanen

Glorious sacrifices, unexpected tactics and checkmating attacks. The King's Gambit is one of the oldest and most romantic openings in the game of chess. These DVDs contain all you need to know to play the King's Gambit.

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