Vladimir Akopian vs. Igor Novikov

2026 U.S. Senior Chess Championship

Date: July 14, 2026

Round: 1

White: Vladimir Akopian (2551)

Black: Igor Novikov (2475)

Result: 1-0

SF 18

Game Notation (PGN)

[Event "2026 U.S. Senior Championship"]
[TournamentID "07142026"]
[TimeControlType "classical"]
[Site "Saint Louis, USA"]
[Date "2026.07.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vladimir Akopian"]
[Black "Igor Novikov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteTitle "GM"]
[BlackTitle "GM"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2475"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e6 7. Be3 b5 8. Qd2 Nbd7 9. g4 h6
10. a3 Bb7 11. O-O-O Ne5 12. Rg1 Rc8 13. h4 Nfd7 14. g5 hxg5 15. hxg5 Nb6 16. g6 Nbc4
17. gxf7+ Kxf7 18. Bxc4 Nxc4 19. Qg2 Qf6 20. Bg5 Qg6 21. Nce2 e5 22. Nf5 d5 23. Qf2 Bc5
24. Ned4 exd4 25. Be7 Qxf5 26. exf5 Bxe7 27. Rxd4 Bf6 28. Kb1 Rh5 29. Rdg4 Rxf5 30. Qg3 g5
31. Qh2 Kg6 32. f4 Ne3 33. Rxg5+ Bxg5 34. fxg5 Rf7 35. Qh6+ Kf5 36. g6 Re7 37. Qg5+ 1-0