Recently, Valery Golubenko engaged in what could be one of the most protracted chess matches in recent memory, particularly when measured by the sheer number of moves played under contemporary, often time-constrained, conditions. Reaching an astounding 88th move, the game entered a complex endgame featuring a queen and b-pawn against a lone queen. Golubenko’s opponent demonstrated remarkable resilience, defending for an additional 37 moves. However, a critical oversight ultimately led to a missed “only move,” theoretically resulting in a forced checkmate in 47 further moves.

