Game summary
Boris Gelfand and Shankland, S drew in 68 moves in round 3 of Ayelen Invitational 2020, played online (chess24.com), on 18 November 2020. The opening was the Slav Defense (D11).
- White
- Boris Gelfand
- Black
- Shankland, S
- Result
- Draw (½-½)
- Event
- Ayelen Invitational 2020
- Place
- online (chess24.com)
- Date
- 18 November 2020 (2020.11.18)
- Round
- 3.4
- Opening
- Slav Defense (D11)
- Length
- 68 moves (135 plies)
All moves of Gelfand, B vs Shankland, S (PGN move text)
1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.e3 e6 5.Bd3 dxc4 6.Bxc4 Nbd7 7.O-O Bd6 8.Nc3 b5 9.Bb3 Ba6 10.Re1 b4 11.Na4 Bb5 12.e4 Be7 13.Bg5 O-O 14.Rc1 Rc8 15.Nc5 Nxc5 16.dxc5 Nd7 17.Be3 Bf6 18.Nd4 Ne5 19.Nxb5 cxb5 20.Qe2 Qa5 21.f4 Nc6 22.e5 Be7 23.Red1 Rfd8 24.Qf3 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Qc7 26.Qe4 Na5 27.Qxb4 a6 28.Qc3 g6 29.Rc1 Nc4 30.Bxc4 Bxc5 31.b3 bxc4 32.bxc4 Rd8 33.h3 h5 34.Kh2 Rd7 35.Qb3 Qc6 36.Re1 Bxe3 37.Rxe3 Rd4 38.Rf3 Rxc4 39.Qb8+ Kg7 40.Qd8 Rc2 41.Qf6+ Kg8 42.Rg3 Qe4 43.Qd8+ Kh7 44.Qf6 Qf5 45.Qxf5 gxf5 46.Ra3 Rc6 47.Kg3 Kg6 48.Kh4 Rb6 49.g3 Rc6 50.Rb3 Rc2 51.Ra3 Rc6 52.Ra4 Rb6 53.Rc4 Rb2 54.Ra4 Rb6 55.Rd4 Rb2 56.a3 Rb3 57.Ra4 Rb6 58.Rb4 Rc6 59.a4 Rc5 60.g4 hxg4 61.hxg4 Rc1 62.g5 Rg1 63.Kh3 Rg4 64.a5 Kg7 65.Rd4 Kg6 66.Rb4 Kg7 67.Rd4 Kg6 68.Rb4 1/2-1/2
About This Game
A marathon in which Gelfand, B was paired against Shankland, S at Ayelen Invitational 2020 in chess24.com INT in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.
From Slav Defense (D11) the players entered a fight over the centre with long-term structural themes. Here the struggle frequently turns on the central pawns and the resulting minor-piece play.
At 68 moves this was a long, demanding struggle. Marathon games like this reward stamina and precise endgame technique, and they reveal how top players keep pressing in positions many would agree to draw.
Gelfand, B is one of the grandmasters featured in the RamaChess archive, where you can browse their complete game collection, favourite openings and notable wins. Studying many games by a single strong player is one of the fastest ways to understand practical chess decisions.
Replaying a complete grandmaster game is more valuable than it first appears. You see not just the moves, but the order in which plans are introduced, how both sides react to threats, and where the balance finally tips.
After the contest, the game was drawn between Gelfand, B and Shankland, S. Use the board above to replay every move at your own pace, switch to the analyser for engine evaluation of the key moments, or open Practice mode to test your own ideas from any position.
Frequently asked questions
Who played this game?
This game was played between Gelfand, B (White) and Shankland, S (Black), at Ayelen Invitational 2020 in 2020.
What opening was played?
The game used Slav Defense (ECO code D11). A fight over the centre with long-term structural themes.
What was the result?
The game was drawn between Gelfand, B and Shankland, S.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 68 moves (135 plies).
Can I replay this game move by move?
Yes. Use the interactive board on this page to step through every move, or open the analyser for engine evaluation and Practice mode to play the positions yourself.
Where can I find more games like this?
Browse the full Slav Defense collection, Gelfand, B's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.