Stone Mountain

Viktor Davidovich Kupreichik – Nona Terentevna Gaprindashvili
16th European Senior 65+ Chess Championship; Yerevan, June 10, 2016
Owen Defence B00

1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nf3 Ne7 5. h4!? Sharply sidelined, but Kupreichik is a strong tactical player. 5. ... d5 6. e5 Ba6 7. Bxa6 Nxa6 8. c4 Qd7 9. Qe2 dxc4 10. Qxc4 Qc6 11. Qxc6+ Nxc6 12. a3 Na5! Nona Terentevna manoeuvred very well in securing balance.

13. Be3. If 13. Nc3 there might follow 13. ... Nb3 14. Rb1 0-0-0 with satisfactory play for Black. 13. ... Nb3 14. Ra2 c5 15. Nbd2. Kupreichik temporarily sacrifices a Pawn because after 15. Nc3 0-0-0! Black is fine. 15. ... Nc1. After all, a curious destination. 16. Ra1 Nd3+ 17. Ke2 Nxb2 18. a4 c4 19. Rhc1 Rc8 20. Rc2 c3 21. Ne4 Bb4 22. Bd2. Finally White wins back his Pawn, but... what a fatigue it was! 22. ... 0-0 23. Bxc3 Bxc3 24. Nxc3 Nc4 25. Rcc1 Nb4 26. Nb5 a6 27. Na7 Rc7 28. Nd2 Rxa7 29. Nxc4 Nd5 30. Ne3. Also 30. Nd6 Rc7 must be sustainable to ensure a draw. 30. ... Rd7 31. Rab1 Nf4+ 32. Kf3 Rxd4 33. Rc4 Rxc4 34. Nxc4 Nd5 35. Nxb6 Rb8 36. a5 h5 37. Rb3 Kh7 38. Ke4 Rb7 39. Kd4 Kh6 40. Rb2 ½ : ½.

Five-time Women’s World Chess Champion Nona Terentevna Gaprindashvili
Photo © Sputnik/Saakov.