Chess with Sam Collins

Reykjavik Open 2017

The Reykjavik Open featured a surprising victory by Aman Hambleton, a strong Canadian IM, over Alexei Shirov, one of the world’s top players over the last 25 years. The win was more impressive since it was achieved in an attacking and sacrificial style for which Shirov himself is famous.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.Qf3 Bd6 8.0–0–0

Shirov adopts one of White’s most ...