Collecting Small Advantages

Yury V. Bukayev shared this recent game, played on lichess.org against Women's International Master Ruchess27, with a time control of 10 10. 

The game is a good example of collecting small advantages, until they turn into a large advantage.

Ruchess27 - Yury_V_Bukayev

WIM Ruchess27 simul, 10 10 blitz, lichess.org, 2026

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 

The Slav Defense, exchange variation. Perhaps it is Ruchess27's favorite? Or, maybe it is to achieve a calm, steady position where the opponent can simply be out-played.

4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bf4 e6 6.e3 Bd6 

I am reminded of an interview of a grandmaster, many years ago, where the question was posed 

How do you prepare for unorthodox or unusual openings and play by your opponent? 

The response was 

I don't bother to prepare, I just make strong moves, and, eventually, that will be enough.

Yury does not play irrationally, or throw caution to the wind, but his opponent follows that strategy: Make strong moves, and, eventually that will be enough.

This time, though, that will not be enough.

7.Bg5 Qb6 8.Bd3 Qxb2 

What conclusion about Yury does Ruchess27 make from this pawn capture? That he is a club level pawn grabber?

Probably not, as the move is still theory. Play on, but perhaps, be cautious.

9.Nge2 Nbd7 10.O-O a6 11.Qa4

Certainly, she was not just pinning one Knight, threatening to capture the other and break up Black's Kingside?

Maybe, an IM can afford such "nothing" moves in a simul, but, in this case, 11.a4 was best.

11...Qa3 12.Qc2 

Exchanging Queens was not a good idea, so the Queen retreats.

12...h6 13.Bh4 O-O 

Comparing Bishops, White seems to be better, here, but Stockfish 17.1 already gives Black an edge.

14.f4

With thoughts of attack. Maybe that would be successful against a lesser opponent, but not Yury.

14...b5 15.f5

Consistent, but the action should be taking place on the Queenside.

15...e5

Yes.

16.dxe5 Bxe5 

Capturing with the correct piece.

17.Nd4 Bb7 

18.Rfb1

White plans to harass the enemy Queen, but only succeeds in driving her to a better post.

18...Rfc8 19.Rb3 Qd6 20.Rab1 

Given enough time, White will increase the Queenside pressure with a2-14.

There is not enough time.

20...Bxh2+ 21.Kh1 Bg3 22.Bxg3 Qxg3 23.a4 

Too late.

23...Ng4 24.Nf3 Nde5 White resigned

Seeing that 25.Qd2 Nxf3 26.gxf3 Nf2 will cost White her Queen.