1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
e6
3.g3
Bb4+
4.Bd2
Be7
5.Bg2
d5
6.Nf3
0-0
7.0-0
c6
8.Qc2
b6
9.Rd1
Ba6
10.Ne5
Qc8
Though not a novelty per se, this move has only been played once before, whereas 10...Nfd7 is the usual continuation.
11.Nc3
Nbd7
12.Rac1N
Nxe5
13.dxe5
Nd7
14.cxd5
cxd5
White's pieces are now beautifully positioned, and a number of tactical themes are starting to rear their ugly heads based on the g2-a8 diagonal as well as discovered attacks based on a timely knight move.
15.Bf4
White is threatening e4 which would maximize the power of his artillery.
15...g5
16.Bxd5!
Strong and precise, the Ukrainian forces Kramnik's hand.
16...exd5
17.Nxd5
Qd8
[The queen could not be taken with 17...Qxc2??
since after 18.Nxe7+
Kg7
19.Rxc2
gxf4
20.Rxd7
White's two extra pawns would be more than enough.]
18.Nc7
Rc8
This was the final mistake, and Ponomariov does not miss his chance. [Better was 18...gxf4
19.Qf5!
Bc8
20.Nxa8
fxg3
21.hxg3
Nc5
22.Rxd8
Bxf5
23.Rxf8+
Bxf8
though White's chances are still preferable thanks to his rook and two pawns for the two pieces.]
19.e6!
fxe6
20.Qc6
Qe8
21.Qxe6+
Qf7
In truth, Kramnik could easily have resigned her as the next moves are forced, after which he is left with a dead lost endgame. Still, he may have continued just as easily for the benefit of the public, as to the fact he had no desire to have a 21-move loss listed in his curriculum.
22.Qxf7+
Kxf7
23.Nxa6
gxf4
24.Rxc8
Rxc8
25.Rxd7
Rc2
26.Nb4
Rxb2
27.Nc6
Rxe2
28.Rxa7
f3
29.h4
h5
30.Rxe7+
Rxe7
31.Nxe7
Kxe7
32.g4
hxg4
33.Kh2
Ke6
34.Kg3
Kf5
35.a4
Ke4
36.Kxg4
1-0