Mamedyarov, S. – Svidler, P.

2809 2018 · White wins (resignation, time or agreement)

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, the Azerbaijani attacker who climbed to world number two in 2018, faces Peter Svidler, an eight-time Russian champion and a genuine opening connoisseur (also a famously devoted cricket and fantasy-novel fan). The Benko Gambit suits Svidler perfectly: give up a pawn, rip open the lines, and start playing.