Sometimes Grand masters do strange things. They can make very basic errors that even a beginner wouldn’t make, which can be very difficult to understand. The reasons will differ according to the position and most relevant factors in the game but often they think too deeply or focus only on deep strategical concepts and then miss something very simple or play a move that looks so bad defeat will surely soon follow.
For example the following game recently played between Popiliski rated a mere 2542, probably able to make it into the top 300 if he played for Bedfordshire…well maybe, and the more well-known Gata Kamsky, rated a mere 2660 but far more respected whilst middle-aged than in his youth courtesy of his over-zealous father. The game has just started and Kamsky, with his decades of experience plays a move that made me laugh when I saw it. On Twitter Chess24 described it as ‘not one of his better moves’. Well I’ve never had any interest in any his games but I suspect they may well be right there. Amusement lies ahead, anyone who can offer any explanation will be applauded.
7. …Ng8 was now played. The distinction between the professional and the amateur player is somewhat artificial as no one knows very much about chess. Some know a bit more than others, that’s all. White has just played 7. e5, which in my limited understanding of the Sicilian is one of white’s trump cards if he can get it in, will generally have the better game. Something looks wrong before black plays his next move, that being the wild (ly perplexing) 7. …Ng8. One of those’too amusing for analysis moves ‘perhaps? Is moving to h5 so bad? I suppose one advantage of the move played was that it must have gained Kamsky a good hour plus on the clock as I’m sure it took quite some time for his opponent to believe what he was seeing.
You can find the game here, https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/calgary-international-2016/7/1/2 unsurprisingly a massacre soon ensues.
McCreadyandChess 