Valery Golubenko recounts his experience at the 1977 chess tournament in Georgievsk, Stavropol region, where he competed against notable players, including Master Vladimir Saigin. Despite a challenging performance, Golubenko reflects on the lessons learned and the significance of the event in his chess career.

• 01The 1977 tournament featured 64 participants, including young prodigy Aleksey Dreev and Master Vladimir Saigin, who had previously faced Mikhail Tal.
• 02Golubenko's unique strategy involved obscuring his vision during a match to counter his opponent's intimidating gaze, ultimately leading to a stalemate.
• 03He achieved his first Candidate Master norm during the tournament, though it was not submitted by his coach, leading to feelings of disappointment.
• 04The article draws parallels between Golubenko's experiences and a recent 239-move game in the Czech Team Championship, highlighting the endurance and strategic depth in chess.
• 05Golubenko's daughter, Valentina, later achieved significant success in chess, qualifying for the World Championship 30 years after his own pivotal tournament.

The tournament served as a formative experience for young chess players in the region, fostering talent and interest in chess.