Featured is the game between Vladimir Kramnik and Magnus Carlsen from the 2008 Corus Group A tournament. From an English Opening, we arrive at the prickly Hedgehog structure on move 9. The Hedgehog system is denoted by having black pawns on a6, b6, d6, & e6. It’s a solid formation of pawns that typically have two key queenside breaks in mind, namely d5 and b5. In this game however, Carlsen demonstrates how black can play without either queenside break, and instead play aggressively with the pawns on the kingside. The plan Carlsen undertakes is extremely rare, and sparked by the location of Kramnik’s knights and queen. Carlsen’s 18th is one I like to describe as a “don’t try this at home” type of move because of its weakening and committal nature; moves like this are best only played by the hand of a world class player.
Image of Magnus Carlsen by: https://pixabay.com/users/creozavr-2567670/?tab=about
Image of Hedgehog by: https://pixabay.com/users/openclipart-vectors-30363/?tab=about
PGN:
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 d6 9. Rd1 a6 10. Ng5 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 Nc6 12. Qf4 O-O 13. Nce4 Ne8 14. b3 Ra7 15. Bb2 Rd7 16. Rac1 Nc7 17. Nf3 f5 18. Nc3 g5 19. Qd2 g4 20. Ne1 Bg5 21. e3 Rff7 22. Kg1 Ne8 23. Ne2 Nf6 24. Nf4 Qe8 25. Qc3 Rg7 26. b4 Ne4 27. Qb3 Rge7 28. Qa4 Ne5 29. Qxa6 Ra7 30. Qb5 Qxb5 31. cxb5 Rxa2 32. Rc8+ Kf7 33. Nfd3 Bf6 34. Nxe5+ dxe5 35. Rc2 Rea7 36. Kg2 Ng5 37. Rd6 e4 38. Bxf6 Kxf6 39. Kf1 Ra1 40. Ke2 Rb1 41. Rd1 Rxb4 42. Ng2 Rxb5 43. Nf4 Rc5 44. Rb2 b5 45. Kf1 Rac7 46. Rbb1 Rb7 47. Rb4 Rc4 48. Rb2 b4 49. Rdb1 Nf3 50. Kg2 Rd7 51. h3 e5 52. Ne2 Rd2 53. hxg4 fxg4 54. Rxd2 Nxd2 55. Rb2 Nf3 56. Kf1 b3 57. Kg2 Rc2
I’m a self-taught National Master in chess out of Pennsylvania, USA who was introduced to the game by my father in 1988 at the age of 8. The purpose of this channel is to share my knowledge of chess to help others improve their game. I enjoy continuing to improve my understanding of this great game, albeit slowly. Consider subscribing here on YouTube for frequent content, and/or connecting via any or all of the below social medias. Your support is greatly appreciated. Take care, bye. 😀
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