Game summary
Esipenko, Andrey and Boris Gelfand drew in 71 moves in round 4 of Nutcracker Classical 2017 in Moscow, Russia, on 22 December 2017. The opening was the Semi-Slav Defense (D45).
- White
- Esipenko, Andrey
- Black
- Boris Gelfand
- Result
- Draw (½-½)
- Event
- Nutcracker Classical 2017
- Place
- Moscow, Russia
- Date
- 22 December 2017 (2017.12.22)
- Round
- 4.2
- Opening
- Semi-Slav Defense (D45)
- Length
- 71 moves (141 plies)
All moves of Esipenko, Andrey vs Gelfand, B (PGN move text)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O dxc4 9.Bxc4 b5 10.Be2 Bb7 11.e4 e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nh4 g6 14.f4 Bc5+ 15.Kh1 Neg4 16.g3 Re8 17.e5 b4 18.Nd1 Bd4 19.Bf3 Qd7 20.exf6 Ba6 21.Qg2 Rad8 22.f5 gxf5 23.Bg5 Qe6 24.Nf2 Bxf1 25.Rxf1 Bxf2 26.Rxf2 h6 27.Bf4 Nxf2+ 28.Qxf2 Qxf6 29.Qc2 Re5 30.Bxe5 Qxe5 31.Kg2 f4 32.Nf5 fxg3 33.hxg3 Qf6 34.Kh3 Kh8 35.Be4 Re8 36.g4 Qe6 37.Qd2 c5 38.b3 Qf6 39.Ng3 h5 40.gxh5 Rxe4 41.Nxe4 Qf5+ 42.Kh2 Qxe4 43.Qh6+ Kg8 44.Qg5+ Kh7 45.Qxc5 Qf4+ 46.Kg2 Kh6 47.Qxa7 Kxh5 48.Qb7 Kh4 49.Qa8 f5 50.Qh8+ Kg4 51.Qg7+ Qg5 52.Qd7 Kh4+ 53.Kf2 Qg3+ 54.Ke2 Qg2+ 55.Ke3 Qe4+ 56.Kf2 Qc2+ 57.Kf3 Qe4+ 58.Kf2 Qc2+ 59.Kf3 Qc3+ 60.Kf2 Kg4 61.Qd1+ Kf4 62.Qd6+ Ke4 63.Qe6+ Qe5 64.Qc6+ Qd5 65.Qc2+ Qd3 66.Qc6+ Qd5 67.Qc2+ Ke5 68.Qe2+ Qe4 69.Qb5+ Kf6 70.Qb6+ Kg5 71.Qd8+ 1/2-1/2
About This Game
This marathon sees Esipenko, Andrey take on Gelfand, B at Nutcracker Classical 2017 in Moscow RUS in 2017. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.
From Semi-Slav Defense (D45) 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 71 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.
In the end, the game was drawn between Esipenko, Andrey and Gelfand, B. 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 Esipenko, Andrey (White) and Gelfand, B (Black), at Nutcracker Classical 2017 in 2017.
What opening was played?
The game used Semi-Slav Defense (ECO code D45). A fight over the centre with long-term structural themes.
What was the result?
The game was drawn between Esipenko, Andrey and Gelfand, B.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 71 moves (141 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 Semi-Slav Defense collection, Gelfand, B's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.