Game Of the Week: IM Sevian vs. GM Zherebukh

IM Sevian vs. GM Zherebukh

Opening: C67: Ruy Lopez

Player(s): Sevian, Zherebukh

Three-time U.S. Champion GM Joel Benjamin brings you a new show every Friday at 15:00 Server Time. Joel is regarded by many as one of the best commentators and analysts' we have in the game today -- so if you want to get ahead of the game, get ready to tune-in!

While I was away ICC fans were treated to a remarkable run from Fabiano Caruana in the Sinquefield Cup. The successes of Fabiano and Hikaru Nakamura (though not in this tournament) have given Americans pride in their home-grown talent.

It doesn't have to stop with those two, of course. We saw a great streak from Sam Shankland in the Olympiad, and this week we will focus on another very talented and very young Sam. Sam Sevian earned his third and final grandmaster norm at the Washington International. He will only need to edge his rating above 2500 to be awarded the title. And all this at the tender age of 14. Our featured game is a sharp struggle with Yaroslav Zherebukh. Zherebukh, himself a grandmaster at 15, is now a relative veteran of 21. Though the quality of play dipped in a mutual time scramble, our young hero played with great spirit and a fine feel for the initiative. Let's check it out.