The longest official chess game lasted 269 moves and took over 20 hours to finish.
Played in 1989 between Ivan Nikolić and Goran Arsović, this marathon match ended in a draw—proving that sometimes even hours of strategic brainpower can still end in a stalemate. The game showcased endurance, concentration, and the sheer complexity of chess. It also inspired changes in chess rules, introducing the 50-move draw rule to prevent excessively long games. Turns out even brains get tired!