Both Andrei Sokolov and Jonathan Speelman have been world championship candidates on multiple occasions, so you'd expect a game between such high-class opponents to feature some sort of main line like a Slav or a Petroff - both thrill-packed openings, right? If so, you're in for a surprise, one I think you'll find pleasant. In their 1988 rapid game in Madrid, Speelman chose the very fun Icelandic Gambit: 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.c4 e6.
Is it sound? Well...maybe not entirely sound. But if it's good enough to beat a player who was once #3 in the world, how bad can it be when you wheel it out at the local club? You might argue that we know more about how to meet it now than they did back in 1988, and you'd be right. In fact, you might go on to say that because it has been worked out, no one plays it anymore, and you'd be right again. But that's exactly why you should give it a try: everyone has forgotten the remedies!
Whether you watch the show to learn about this tricky line or not, I think you'll find the game entertaining and a worthy way to spend a Wednesday night. To watch, log on to the Playchess server at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday night (= 3 a.m. CET Thursday morning), go to the Broadcast room and find Sokolov-Speelman under the Games tab. Hope to see you there!