Stuck at Your Current Rating?
Signup for free to join thousands of players who improved their game with our personalized tips and analysis
gmwso vs StasSB
win
Date: 2026-03-26 20:05:25 |
Game Link
Table of Contents
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Game Navigator
Game Snapshot
Queen's Gambit Declined: Normal Defense
Master Lens
White (GMWSO) won a Queen's Gambit Declined Exchange Variation by turning an early queen exchange into a safe king and active rook play, then converting a passed pawn and a rook on the seventh rank into a winning endgame. The game shows how precise piece coordination and exploiting open lines can turn a small material edge into a decisive victory.
What The GM Did Well By Phase
Opening
White exchanged queens on move **9...Qxd1+** and kept the king safe in the center, then developed the pieces quickly with moves like **11.f4**, **12.Bb5**, and **13.Rb1**. By placing the rook on the b‑file early, White prepared to pressure Black's queenside pawns while the pawn structure stayed solid. This demonstrates the principle of early piece activity and king safety after a queen trade.
Middlegame
After the blunder **22.Rb4**, White recognized the danger to the e5 pawn and created counterplay by activating the rook on the seventh rank with **28.Rxe6** and later **30...Bxa3 31.Rxa3**. The rook infiltrated Black's camp, and the pawn push **36.e5** opened lines for the rook and king. These moves illustrate the importance of exploiting open files and creating a passed pawn when the opponent's pieces are tied to defensive duties.
Endgame
In the final phase White used the rook on the seventh rank (**42.Rb8+**) and a connected passed pawn on the f‑file (**41.f5**, **43.f6+**) to force Black's king into a defensive position. The king marched forward with **38.Kf5** and **40.Kg6**, supporting the pawn advance and cutting off Black's king. This shows how active king placement and rook support can turn a pawn majority into a winning promotion.
Game Themes
promotion
rook and bishop
rook and minors
connected passed pawn
rooks on seventh
rook and knight
outside passed pawns
castling
passed pawns
bishop pair