Speelman Revisits Nakamura-Firouzja with a Study-Like Endgame
In his Royal March piece for ChessBase, Jon Speelman brings back a memorable game from a previous Candidates Tournament and examines it from a fresh analytical perspective. Rather than treating Hikaru Nakamura’s win with the black pieces against Alireza Firouzja as a simple historical reference, Speelman dives deeply into the critical variations near the end and turns the position into something close to an endgame study. The result is a challenging exercise born from practical play, yet rich in theoretical and artistic value.
The origin of the article is noteworthy in itself. While deciding which games to feature in his newspaper column before the first round of the Candidates, Speelman chose not to focus on current live clashes involving the American stars and instead revisited games from the previous edition, as well as battles featuring Praggnanandhaa. Although Vidit Gujrathi’s brilliant win with Black against Nakamura initially stood out, Nakamura’s composed and technical victory over Firouzja also left a strong impression. When rereading his old notes, Speelman noticed a line near the end of the game that opened the door to a far richer idea, and after more than a week of intermittent analysis, he produced a more refined study-like version inspired by the original encounter.
What stands out most in Speelman’s treatment is the importance of king activity, tempo calculation, and piece coordination in the ending. By referring to “His White Majesty,” he emphasizes the remarkable journey of the white king across the board, offering readers a demanding test of calculation. This reflects one of the most fascinating features of modern chess analysis: practical decisions from an elite tournament game can, with the help of engines and endgame tablebases, later evolve into something resembling an artistic endgame study. For players interested in rook endings and transitional endgames in particular, this kind of material is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly instructive.
The article also serves as a reminder of why endgame study remains indispensable. Obtaining an advantage in the opening or middlegame is often not enough; the real challenge lies in converting it with accurate technique. Speelman’s analysis shows how ideas drawn from a Candidates-level game can still be deeply valuable for club players. With accompanying video material and brief references to broader endgame themes, the piece invites readers into a wider endgame culture, not just a single game. In short, Royal March is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to revisit Nakamura-Firouzja from a new angle or sharpen their calculation through high-quality endgame material.