Chess With Sam Collins

Nikita Vitiugov vs Pentala Harikrishna

Prague Masters, 2019

Nikita Vitiugov won the inaugural Prague Masters ahead of an elite field with an average rating of 2715.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0–0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.dxe5

A sideline compared to the well analysed endgame after 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8, which forms a core part of the repertoire of most top-ten players.

6...Nxb5 7.a4 Nbd4

7...d6 8.e6!? is a promising pawn ...