Game summary
Viktor Korchnoi beat Koneru, H in 60 moves in round 8 of Czech Coal Match in Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic, on 5 December 2009. The opening was the Catalan Opening (E05).
- White
- Viktor Korchnoi
- Black
- Koneru, H
- Result
- White won (1-0)
- Event
- Czech Coal Match
- Place
- Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic
- Date
- 5 December 2009 (2009.12.05)
- Round
- 8
- Opening
- Catalan Opening (E05)
- Length
- 60 moves (119 plies)
All moves of Korchnoi, V vs Koneru, H (PGN move text)
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.Qxc4 b5 9.Qc2 Bb7 10.Bf4 Nc6 11.Rd1 Nb4 12.Qc1 Rc8 13.Bg5 Nbd5 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.Nc3 Qe8 16.a3 c5 17.Qf4 b4 18.axb4 cxb4 19.Na4 Qb5 20.Bf1 Ne4 21.Qe3 Nd6 22.h4 Rfd8 23.Qf4 Qf5 24.Qxf5 Nxf5 25.g4 Bxf3 26.gxf5 Be4 27.fxe6 fxe6 28.Nc5 Bxc5 29.dxc5 Rxd1 30.Rxd1 a5 31.Rc1 Kf7 32.f3 Bc6 33.e4 a4 34.Kf2 Ra8 35.Ke3 Ke7 36.Bc4 Ra5 37.Kd4 e5+ 38.Kxe5 Rxc5+ 39.Kd4 Rh5 40.Rg1 g6 41.Rg5 Rxh4 42.Ra5 Be8 43.Ra7+ Kf6 44.Ra8 Ke7 45.Ra7+ Kf6 46.Kc5 Rh2 47.Ra8 Ke7 48.e5 Rxb2 49.Ra7+ Kf8 50.e6 Rc2 51.Kxb4 Bc6 52.Rxh7 Rc1 53.e7+ Ke8 54.Bd3 Rg1 55.Kc5 Kd7 56.e8=Q+ Kxe8 57.Kxc6 Rg3 58.Be4 g5 59.Kd6 g4 60.Bd5 1-0
About This Game
A full-length game in which Korchnoi, V was paired against Koneru, H at Czech Coal Match in Marianske Lazne CZE in 2009. It was played in round 8. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.
The game opened with Catalan Opening (E05), a strategic battle of pawn structure and piece activity. In these systems both players manoeuvre carefully before committing to a plan.
Running to 60 moves, the game moved through a full middlegame into an endgame. Games of this length show how a small advantage is carried from one phase to the next — useful technique to absorb.
Korchnoi, V 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.
Games such as this one are useful at every level. Beginners can follow the opening principles, club players can study the middlegame plans, and stronger players can examine the finer endgame and decision-making points.
When the dust settled, Korchnoi, V won with the white pieces. Step through the moves on the interactive board above, flip the board to see it from either side, and try the position trainer to sharpen your own play.
Frequently asked questions
Who played this game?
This game was played between Korchnoi, V (White) and Koneru, H (Black), at Czech Coal Match in 2009.
What opening was played?
The game used Catalan Opening (ECO code E05). A strategic battle of pawn structure and piece activity.
What was the result?
Korchnoi, V won with the white pieces.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 60 moves (119 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 Catalan Opening collection, Korchnoi, V's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.