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Sam Shankland

Image of Sam Shankland by Lennart Ootes

Shankland's AlphaZero Attack in the London System

ChessAnalysisOpeningStrategyTournament
Long-term static advantage

Featured is an excellent chess game between Sam Shankland and Ediz Gurel from Round 1 of the 2025 Prague International Chess Festival. Out of a London System we observe an AlphaZero-like attack with Shankland launching his h-pawn deep in Gurel's camp by move 10. While this h-pawn may not appear too menacing in the early phase, it remains a long-term static advantage for Shankland. If the position opens, which is likely, multiple paths open to coordinate with the h-pawn directly or indirectly. It could easily be the case Gurel experiences back rank issues, or worst of all a white queen planted on g7 for checkmate!

Sam Shankland vs Ediz Gurel | 2025 Prague International Chess Festival, R1

https://lichess.org/9LyDiY5F#0

Below the video, there is a pop quiz with five questions. If you are interested in improving your game, devote some time to answering them before watching the video.
https://youtu.be/CeVAXxuu-hQ

Question 1 of 5: Why is 7...Qb6 a blunder?

https://lichess.org/study/EcVWUV8f/NXogVvw7#14

Question 2 of 5: What is a downside with 23...Nc4?

https://lichess.org/study/EcVWUV8f/uah3e8jn#46

Question 3 of 5: What is the primary function of 26...a4?

https://lichess.org/study/EcVWUV8f/OCnl33AV#52

Question 4 of 5: What is black's only move to maintain equality?

https://lichess.org/study/EcVWUV8f/2XDsfAXJ#67

Question 5 of 5: What is white's only winning move?

https://lichess.org/study/EcVWUV8f/QfXZHvY6#80

Closing words

Feel free to leave any questions or comments on YouTube or in the forum below. I want to express my thanks to everyone who values my work, whether it's more formally through Patreon or simply by viewing my content on any of my social media platforms. Your support means a lot to me. Special thanks to Lichess for providing an excellent space for me to share my passion for chess.
-Jerry