Stefanova’s second final win

Antoaneta Stefanova vs Ekaterina Kovalevskaya

Women’s world championship · 2004 · 1-0

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A masterpiece, move by move

Stefanova’s second win in the 2004 women’s final is a long technical game with a queenside pawn majority.

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21. Rxa5

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Win the a-pawn. The rook captures on a5 after White has opened the a-file. White’s extra queenside pawn becomes an important endgame asset.

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52. Nd3

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A central route for the knight. The knight comes to d3, where it can reach c5 with check if Black’s e-pawn advances. The white king and rook also support the queenside.

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65. Nd8+

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Force a favorable exchange. The knight checks from d8 and attacks the bishop on c6. After the king moves, White captures the bishop and reaches a rook ending with extra pawns.