Svitlana's Smart Moves - The epic World Cup duel of Kramnik and Leko

by Arne Kaehler
9/8/2023 – In 2004, Vladimir Kramnik and Peter Leko played a match for the World Championship. After a nail-biting series of games, the match ended in a 7-7 draw, with Kramnik retaining his title by winning the 14th game on demand. But Svitlana shows us one of the two wins by Leko (who, incidentally, is celebrating his birthday today!) - a fascinating game with an interesting side story.

The Leningrad Dutch Defence is a dynamic and aggressive opening choice for Black, perfect for players who want to add some adventure and spice to their repertoire.

Svitlana's Smart Moves - Episode 73

With Svitlana Demchenko and Arne Kaehler

Svitlana Demchenko is an 18-year-old, Canadian WIM and chess coach. Here and now, she will teach us plenty of smart moves on the board, ranging from tactics, strategies, openings, and anything else chess related. In the process, I'm happy to be available as a student at club player level, and pester the Women's International Master with questions. Anyone who wants to strengthen their chess skills is welcome to watch, and actively replay the positions from the video, on our chessboard.

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MoveNResultEloPlayers
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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 8.a4 Anti-Marshall d5 9.axb5 dxe4 10.bxc6 exf3 11.Qxf3± 8...d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 12.Bxd5 cxd5 13.d4= 12...Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 14.h3? Bxh3 15.gxh3 Qxh3 16.Re5 Bxe5 17.dxe5 Rae8 14...Qh3 15.Re4 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8 17.Nd2 Re6 18.a4 Qh5= 15...g5!? 16.Qf1 16.Bxg5? Qf5-+ 16...Qh5 16...Qxf1+ 17.Kxf1 Bf5 17.Nd2 Bf5 18.f3 18.Re1 Rae8∞ 18...Nf6 18...Bxe4? 19.fxe4 Nb6 19...Ne3 20.Qf3+- 20.e5± 19.Re1 Rae8 20.Rxe8 Rxe8 21.a4 Qg6 22.axb5 Bd3 23.Qf2? 23.Qd1= 23...Re2 24.Qxe2 24.bxa6 Rxf2 25.Kxf2 Qh6 26.Ke3-+ 24...Bxe2 25.bxa6 Qd3! 25...Bxa6 26.Rxa6 26.Kf2 26.a7 Qe3+ 27.Kg2 Bxf3+! 28.Nxf3 Qe2+ 29.Kg1 29.Kh3 Qf1# 29...Ng4! 30.a8Q+ Kg7 31.Bd2 Qf2+ 32.Kh1 Qxf3+ 33.Kg1 Qf2+ 34.Kh1 Qxh2# 26...Bxf3! 27.Nxf3 Ne4+ 27...Ng4+ 28.Ke1 Nxh2-+ 28.Ke1 28.Kg2 Qe2+ 28.Kg1 Qxf3 28...Nxc3 28...Nxg3 29.Bc4 Qxc4 30.hxg3 Bxg3+ 31.Kd2 29.bxc3 Qxc3+ 30.Kf2 Qxa1 31.a7 h6 32.h4 g4 0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Kramnik,V2770Leko,P27410–12004C89World-ch Kramnik-Leko +2-2=108

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If you like Svitlana's Smart moves, you will certainly enjoy her video lectures about "Surprising your opponents with the Lazy Sicilian", her first Fritztrainer "Understanding Material Imbalances", and her brand new Fritztrainer "The Scotch Game". Her newest Entry is the "Leningrad Dutch Defence"!

In just 60 minutes, you will be well-equipped with a surprise weapon, which will take most of your opponents out of book right from the start.

This DVD focuses on several types of material imbalances, such as Rook vs 2 Pieces, Queen vs 2 Rooks, and Queen vs Pieces.

Besides in-depth theory and exciting tactical exercises in the Scotch Game, this video course also includes a bonus section on the Scotch Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Bc4), a lively variation often leading to very dynamic positions.

The Leningrad Dutch Defence is a dynamic and aggressive opening choice for Black, perfect for players who want to add some adventure and spice to their repertoire.

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Arne Kaehler, a creative mind who is passionate about board games in general, was born in Hamburg and learned to play chess at a young age. By teaching chess to youth teams and creating chess-related videos on YouTube, Arne was able to expand this passion and has even created an online course for anyone who wants to learn how to play chess. Arne writes for the English and German news sites, but focuses mainly on content for the ChessBase media channels.

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