Jon Speelman: Don't make assumptions

In his latest column, GM Jon Speelman explores a key psychological theme in chess: the art of refusing the opponent’s narrative. Using examples from his own games, classic encounters such as Szabo–Reshevsky (Zürich 1953), and instructive cases from Karpov–Kasparov and Smyslov–Keres, Speelman reflects on when to accept or decline sacrifices and how independent thinking at the board can overturn assumptions and disrupt momentum. | Photo: A. Hasson / Hastings 1991-92