Chess Videos | A Short Circuit That Leads to Astonishment

This artistic finale by the brilliant Russian composer Óleg Pervákov (Kirov, 1960), considered by many as the best currently alive, requires a few minutes of calm and concentration—pausing the video at several points will help understand everything well—to fully enjoy it and experience a flood of pleasure. The creative themes follow one after another like a waterfall: a short-circuit move to divert pieces and gain time; a second sacrifice to obstruct and anticipate a very hidden defensive resource; and finally, the apotheosis, in which a knight is worth much more than a queen.

Pervákov has produced over 170 studies since 1997, with which he has won nearly a hundred awards in competitions. He was the world runner-up in composition in the 2001-2003 edition and champion in 2004-2006. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) awarded him the title of grandmaster of composition in 2005. When the viewer finishes watching this video, all those accolades are likely to seem ordinary.