Classical chess

Garry Kasparov endorsed the slower time control which was used at the Superbet Chess Classic. That event, which concluded this month in Bucharest, was the latest leg of the Grand Chess Tour, the annual series of events for elite players which comprises a mix of faster and slower formats. In the words of the former world champion: ‘The preservation of classical chess… is very important for helping players to realise their full potential, to put on display what they can do.’ He compared the format to ‘modern opera’, in contrast to rapid and blitz events where the action is faster, but the play is less refined.

At its best, classical chess contains ambitious, unusual ideas, such as the pawn sacrifice played by Firouzja in the game below. Alas, the players could not always inject such life into their games. In Bucharest, just seven out of 45 games ended decisively, and many of those draws could be attributed more to thorough opening preparation by both sides than to human creativity.

Alireza Firouzja-Wesley So

Superbet Classic, Bucharest 2024

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 a3 Bxc3+ 5 bxc3 b6 6 f3 Nc6 7 e4 Na5 (see left diagram) It is typical in the Nimzo-Indian defence (3…Bb4) that Black concedes the bishop pair in order to double White’s c-pawns. The central pawn mass looks imposing, but it can be blockaded with c7-c5, and attacked with Bc8-a6. Firouzja’s next move cuts across that. 8 c5 bxc5 9 Rb1 Recapturing on c5 would break up the strong central duo. At the cost of a pawn, Firouzja ensures easy future development, and the fluid centre favours his bishop pair. cxd4 10 cxd4 c5 This counter-sacrifice gives the Na5 something to do, but it doesn’t work out well. One might consider rerouting the knight to e7 (via c6).