Chess with Sam Collins

Vladimir Kramnik v Hou Yifan

Vladimir Kramnik v Hou Yifan

King’s Tournament, 2016

Since Judit Polgar’s retirement, Chinese GM Hou Yifan has been the world’s top-ranked female player. Today’s game is from an entertaining rapid match against former world champion Vladimir Kramnik.

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 e6 3.e3 c5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 d5 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bg3 0–0 8.Bd3 b6 9.Qe2 Bb7 10.Rd1 Ne7 11.0–0 Qc7

The London System has become fashionable recently due to Kramnik’s successes. The line is ...