Game Of the Week: GM Nepomniachtchi vs. GM Sjugirov

GM Nepomniachtchi vs. GM Sjugirov

Opening: B90: Sicilian: Najdorf

Player(s): Nepomniachtchi, Sjugirov

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!

Beautiful attacks are rightly celebrated, as a successful attack often produces an aesthetic finish. A successful defense often suggests unbridled play by the opponent. Before a game is concluded, there are moments when victory might go in either direction.
Defense is difficult, and one or two errors can make a game appear much more one-sided than it actually was. Consider the game contested in the Russian Team Championship between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Sanan Sjugirov. You are going to like the finish, but deeper analysis indicates tenser moments in earlier play.