Wesley So Lets Movsesian Take His Queen—Then the Tactical Trap Springs!

Wesley So, an American chess grandmaster representing the United States on the international stage, takes on Sergey Movsesian in a tense battle that stretches all the way to move 73. The turning point comes when Movsesian captures So’s queen, only to face a precise tactical sequence that changes the game. The opening begins with a solid d4 and c4 setup, followed by a Slav-style structure with both sides developing carefully. In the middlegame, Wesley So improves his pieces, activates his rooks, and uses pressure on the queenside and center to steer the position toward a favorable transformation. Then comes the critical moment: after 40.Qc3, Wesley So plays 40...Ne4! When Movsesian takes the queen with 41.Qxb4, So responds with 41...Nxf2+ and continues with 42...Ne4+, forcing the queens off the board with 43...axb4. It is a sharp calculation sequence that leads directly into a difficult knight endgame. From there, the game becomes a test of technique and precision. Wesley So navigates the long endgame, handles the dangerous a-pawn as it reaches a7, coordinates his king and knight, and keeps creating threats until Movsesian resigns after 73...Nd5+. If you enjoyed this game, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!