Goganov, A. – Bespalov, K.

2564 2018 · White wins (resignation, time or agreement)

In 2018, Bespalov (2258) tried the Englund Gambit against Goganov (2564), but the e5-pawn came straight back and the queens left the board at 13.Qxe7+. Every rook vanished down the d-file after 18...Rxd1+, leaving a king-and-pawn ending in which Goganov simply marched forward. By 34...b4 the game was already decided, yet the move still pushed the evaluation from -5.9 to -7.5 from White’s side. Black let more slip with 37...fxg6 (-12.9 to -15.0) and 38...g5 (-11.9 to -15.0), while 38.Kd5 cost Goganov a little, from +15.0 to +11.9. Accuracy: 98% against 85%. The takeaway: simplified endings punish loose pawn moves.