GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac (ACS Superchess, 2654) beat GM Andrei Istratescu (Baia Mare, 2356) in 31 moves in round 1 of the Romanian Super League, with 1:30 or less on the clock for the last nine moves.
It turned on 25...b4, played with nearly 12 minutes left. Stockfish wanted 25...Rd6, and its count went from a clear advantage for White (+1.69) to a win (+3.47). Its first choice in reply was the move Deac played with 40 seconds left: 26.Rxf7, a rook for the bishop on f7. 27.h5 and 28.hxg6+ followed, and after 30.Bxe6+ Rxe6 the material was level again.
Deac was rated 298 points higher. ACS Superchess won the match 3½–2½.
Go back to 25...b4 and find 25...Rd6. Then play it on against the engine.
- White
- GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac, 2654 · ACS SUPERCHESS
- Black
- GM Andrei Istratescu, 2356 · CLUBUL DE SAH al Municipiului Baia Mare
- Result
- 1–0 in 31 moves
- Opening
- Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation · B44
- Event
- Romanian Team Chess Championships 2026, Men’s Super league, Round 1 · Eforie Nord, Romania
- Key move: {0}
- 25...b4
- Engine’s choice
- 25...Rd6