Game of the Week: Ivanchuk beats Leko with the King’s Gambit

Game of the Week #421

Another great online event has started: the Legends of Chess tournament. While Kramnik and Anand seemed to be struggling with the online rapid format, Gelfand shone in the first round by beating Ding Liren 3:1. In the meantime, Carlsen beat Giri with a great novelty in the Ragozin, producing yet another impressive attacking game. But the Game of the Week was played by Ivanchuk, defeating Leko with the King’s Gambit, combining ancient concepts with truly modern ones.

Until the late 19th century the King’s Gambit was very popular, but today top level players employ it only rarely because according to theory Black has more than one way to equalize. However, players like Boris Spassky, Bobby Fischer, Judit Polgar and even Magnus Carlsen have employed it occasionally!

Spassky, Fischer, Polgar and Carlsen play the King’s Gambit

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Warming-up question: What would you play here with White?

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Power Play 27: The King's Gambit

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. This DVD contains all you need to know to tackle your opponent.

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