Wesley So Outplays Lazavik in a Brutal 86-Move Endgame Battle

Wesley So is an American chess grandmaster representing the United States on the international stage, and this Esports World Cup 2026 game became a test of patience, technique, and endgame precision. Denis Lazavik was pushed into severe time pressure as the battle reached its decisive phase. The game began with a solid positional opening before the queens were exchanged on move 20. From there, Wesley So steadily improved his pieces, activated his king, and created pressure without rushing for an immediate breakthrough. The critical moment came deep into the endgame. With Lazavik's clock running dangerously low, Wesley kept finding practical ways to maintain the pressure. The passed e-pawn eventually became the key weapon, advancing all the way to e7+ and forcing the black king into a difficult defensive position. After 86 moves, Wesley So finally converted his advantage. This was a long, technical chess game where accurate king play, rook activity, passed pawns, and composure under pressure made the difference. If you enjoyed this game, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!