Surprising GM moves

In both positions, White to play and surprise his/her opponent. Positions feature games by GM Ivanchuk (I) and GM Kosteniuk (II) played in 2008.

Position I, White to play

Position II, White to play

Sometimes, an unexpected move can work wonders as you're taking the game away from his planned continuation. It can be a quiet move or a continuation which is not the instinctive or natural way to continue. Of course, these surprises are often linked to tactical motifs see the 12 motifs I have covered in my previous posts (September-October).