The King’s Gambit

Does Bear Grylls play chess? If he does, I’m sure he would favour the King’s Gambit. As chess openings go, it is primitive and hazardous. Playing it well demands a kind of reckless, wholehearted optimism that few can muster. Ostensibly, you sacrifice just a pawn (1 e4 e5 2 f4), but really, you’re already in deeper, since the aspiring gambiteer mustn’t flinch from chucking a piece or more on the bonfire. Most players find it more agreeable to watch others sacrifice their pieces.

Indeed, sacrificial classics such as the ‘Immortal Game’ (Anderssen–Kieseritzky, London 1851) have a timeless appeal. But for those with the requisite swagger, nothing stokes the imagination like playing the opening. It remains promising in the modern era — provided the opponent is not expecting it.

This game was played in the Legends of Chess tournament, the fourth event in the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour. Once ranked second in the world, the Ukrainian Vasyl Ivanchuk, now 51 years old, continues to delight fans with his inventive play and otherworldly demeanour. You never know what to expect from ‘Chucky’, who is as adept with a cosy Catalan opening as with the open flame of a King’s Gambit.

His universal style is nicely illustrated by the nonchalant 22 b3!, perhaps the deepest move of the game. Coming right after the exchange sacrifice 18 Rxh6, it looks tempting to seek immediate dividends on the kingside. Instead, Ivanchuk signals a change of pace — tucking away his king, and regrouping the minor pieces. The breakthrough comes a few moves later, and despite having an extra rook for three pawns, Leko’s position crumbles.

Vasyl Ivanchuk–Peter Leko

Legends of Chess, July 2020

1 e4 e5 2 f4 exf4 3 Nf3 h6 4 d4 g5 5 g3 fxg3 6 hxg3 Bg7 7 Nc3 d6 8 Be3 Nf6 9 Qd2 Ng4 10 Bg1 Nc6 11 O-O-O O-O 12 Nh2 Nxh2 13 Rxh2 Bg4 14 Re1 Ne7 15 Bg2 This looks slow, but Ivanchuk’s kingside buildup proves surprisingly hard to meet.