Featured is an excellent positional chess game between Alexander Donchenko and Matthias Bluebaum from Round 4 of the 2025 FIDE World Cup. Out of a Queen’s Gambit Declined, the players reach a symmetrical d4–d5 pawn structure with queens traded off after just 12 moves. After 17 moves, it was clear Donchenko was better prepared, still having 90 minutes remaining on his clock compared to Bluebaum’s 36. Donchenko systematically outmaneuvers his Bluebaum, who stumbles in an already difficult position on move 25. With Donchenko’s 99% accuracy, Bluebaum might as well have been playing against Stockfish.
#FIDEWorldCup #AlexanderDonchenko #MatthiasBluebaum
Image of Alexander Donchenko by Lennart Ootes
lennartootes.com
I’m a self-taught National Master in chess out of Pennsylvania, USA who was introduced to the game by my father in 1988 at the age of 8. The purpose of this channel is to share my knowledge of chess to help others improve their game. I enjoy continuing to improve my understanding of this great game, albeit slowly. Consider subscribing here on YouTube for frequent content, and/or connecting via any or all the below social medias. Your support is greatly appreciated. Take care, bye. 🙂
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PGN
1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 Nf6 6. e3 O-O 7. h3 c5 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Bb5 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qb6 11. O-O Nxd4 12. Qxd4 Qxd4 13. exd4 Be6 14. Bd3 a6 15. Na4 Nd7 16. b4 Bf6 17. Be3 Nb8 18. Nb6 Ra7 19. f4 Bd8 20. Na4 Nc6 21. a3 f5 22. Rac1 Bf6 23. Rfe1 Raa8 24. Nc5 Bc8 25. Bb1 Nxd4 26. Ba2 Rd8 27. Bf2 Kf8 28. Na4 b5 29. Nb6 Rb8 30. Nxd5 Rd6 31. Nxf6 gxf6 32. Kf1 Bb7 33. Rc7 Be4 34. Rxh7 Rbd8 35. Rd1 Ne6 36. Rh8+ Ke7 37. Rxd8 Rxd8 38. Rxd8 Nxd8 39. Bc5+ Kd7 40. h4 Ne6 41. g3 Bd3+ 42. Ke1 Ng7 43. Bf7 Bc4 44. Bg6