Daniel King’s Power Play Show: Ivanchuk and his octopus knights

by Daniel King
3/12/2021 – In this Power Play Show, GM Daniel King looks at a game recommended by a viewer which features Vassily Ivanchuk playing with a double octopus knight. The game also features great positional judgement plus razor-sharp tactical vision and calculation. | Power Play is on air most Fridays at 17:00 UTC (18:00 CET, 13:00 ET). All the usual puzzles, games and instruction will be on offer. | Photo: Lennart Ootes
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An octopus on a tightrope

A few weeks ago I featured a Frank Marshall game where he succeeded in establishing an Octopus Knight in the heart of his opponent's position.

The game I am featuring was recommended to me by a viewer (thank you, Ali) and features Vassily Ivanchuk playing with a double Octopus Knight! It’s a game which I had overlooked, and I am delighted to look through. It features great positional judgement plus razor-sharp tactical vision and calculation.

For many moves Ivanchuk walks a tightrope (can an octopus walk a tightrope? Apparently so). But he eventually comes out the victor.

What did the Ukrainian genius play here?

 
Ivanchuk v Shankland - Capablanca Memorial 2017

Another warm-up. White to play and mate in 2:

 
P. Wenman (1944)
White to play and mate in two

This week

Previous shows

You’ll find older broadcasts in the Power Play category. To watch these you'll need a ChessBase Premium Account.

Daniel King is the prolific author of the Power Play series which numbers 28 volumes to date.  The Tactic Turbo for the King’s Gambit is the subject of his most recent DVD.

Here’s a teaser:

Daniel King presents 50 puzzle positions in video format, all arising from the King's Gambit. They feature typical tactics from the opening, so this is a great way of becoming familiar with the tricks and traps that you can set your opponent.

Links

Daniel King is a regular on playchess.com. Commentating on live events such as the World Championship or analysing themes for his monthly Power Play Show. He also produces a DVD series called Power Play for ChessBase in the Fritztrainer format.

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