The Chess Mind

At Wijk aan Zee each year, it is the A-group that gets the most attention, featuring as it does many of the world's absolute best players. Yet sometimes, depending on who is playing or the games that are produced, it is the "sideshow" that gets top billing.

Such a case occurred in the 1995 version of the event, when it was a game in the Open tournament that received the most press. Roberto Cifuentes is a good GM and had the White pieces against the young (then 18) Russian GM Vadim Zvjaginsev, but it didn't matter. Zvjaginsev won a brilliant game, replete with sacrifices, and that put him on the chess map.

Zvjaginsev is an exceptionally original player, and although he hasn't quite made it into the world's absolute elite, he is a very strong player chess fans should keep their eyes on. This week's show offers viewers a chance to get acquainted with this player's signature game, and I hope you'll take advantage!

For directions for watching the show live (9 p.m. ET), please click here (directions for watching archived shows is also included therein), while a list of games covered in previous shows is available here.