Grivas: Masterpiece by Magnus

by Efstratios Grivas
7/13/2023 – In the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia we saw a true masterpiece by Magnus Carlsen. The former World Champion played super accurate moves, while his Polish opponent showed poor understanding and a lack of knowledge of classical games of the Catalan. Learn more about this opening and the strategy behind it from chess trainer GM Efstratios Grivas.
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As you probably know, in the game below you can click on the notation to get a separate replay board on which you can follow the moves. There you can click on the fan button to start an engine, which will allow you to work out any lines our illustrious analyst has not explained.

Eftratios Grivas

He has played in eight Olympiads, where in 1998 he won Silver. He won Gold at the European Team Championship 1989, five Balkan Medals (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze) and was three times winner of the International ‘Acropolis’ Tournament. He has taken first position in Greek Individual & Team Championships no less than 28 times, and he has won various international tournaments as well. He was also been awarded six FIDE Medals: the Boleslavsky Medal 2009 and 2015 (best author), the FIDE Euwe Medal 2011, 2012 and 2017 (best junior trainer), the FIDE Razuvaev Medal 2014 (Trainers’ education) and has been a professional Lecturer at FIDE Seminars for Training & Certifying Trainers.

Eftratios Grivas has published a large number of books & DVDs in Arabic, English, Greek, Italian, Spanish & Turkish languages. Since 2009 he is the Secretary of the FIDE Trainers’ Commission and since 2012 the Director of the FIDE Grivas Chess International Academy (Athens).

He is a director of the largest chess club in the world, the Sharjah Cultural & Chess Club in Dubai. It was founded in 1979 with the object of spreading and development of chess as mental and cultural sport across the Sharjah Emirate and in the United Arab Emirates territory in general.

The Sharjah Cultural & Chess Club covers an area of 34,000 cubic feet, including the main hall which can accommodate up to 500 players. Besides two huge playing areas there are many class rooms, library, VIP room, regional FIDE office etc. One can find here all possible modern equipment and devises invented in the chess world.

Relaxing in the pool and analysing the game blindfold, in his Dubai apartment tower...

Also watch Sagar Shah discuss the game and explain the critical sacrifice:

Efstratios (30.03.1966) is a highly experienced chess trainer and chess author. He has been awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) the titles of International Chess Grandmaster, FIDE Senior Trainer, International Chess Arbiter and International Chess Organiser.