Makhnev, Denis – Grischuk, A.

2540 2025 · White wins (resignation, time or agreement)

Pirc Defense, 2025: Makhnev (2540) against Grischuk (2667). Black forces early simplification with 6...Nxe4, the queens come off on move 18, and the game turns into a minor-piece struggle in which White keeps the upper hand. Everything hinges on one move: 33...e3, a missed opportunity that pushes the evaluation from +1.4 to +5.0. After 34.Rxd7 Nxd7 35.Nxf5 the position is beyond saving and Black resigns. White finished at 100% accuracy, Black at 78% — the gap tells the story. Club takeaway: in an already worse position, an "active" pawn push can cost far more than patient defense.