The Hedgehog is a respected chess formation, usually adopted as Black, where the defender crouches behind a wall of pawns on the third rank, spines abristle, fending off any hostile aggression until the time comes to unfurl and deploy the fretful porpentine’s armoury in earnest. Since the Hedgehog is essentially a defensive ploy, it is hardly seen as White, but in the elite Dortmund tournament last month former world champion Vladimir Kramnik demonstrated that it can also be adapted for a White offensive. In the following game White’s 22nd move constitutes one of the most astounding coups I have ever seen on the chessboard. It certainly had the effect of knocking the solid and experienced former world title challenger, grandmaster Peter Leko, entirely off his balance.
Kramnik-Leko; Dortmund 2013; English Opening
1 c4 c5 2 g3 g6 3 Bg2 Bg7 4 Nc3 Nc6 5 Nf3 d6 6 0-0 e6 7 b3 At Dortmund Kramnik, with White, favoured the fianchetto of both bishops.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in