1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
g6
3.Nc3
d5
4.Bg5
Psichologically speaking, this is the right choice. Svidler's unpleasant memories from his game against Aronian were fresh still.
4...Ne4
5.Bh4
Nxc3
6.bxc3
dxc4
Deviating from the course of the previous game. The position becomes sharper now.
7.e3
Be6
8.Qb1
[Svidler ha d two recent games with this line, but he had no experience against 8.Qb1 . 8.Nf3
Bg7
9.Rb1
b6
10.Nd2
0-0
11.Be2
c5
12.Bf3
cxd4
13.cxd4
Nd7
14.Bxa8
Qxa8
with excellent compensation for the exchange, Moiseenko-Svidler, Sochi 2005; 8.Rb1
b6
9.Nf3
c6
10.a4
a6
11.e4
b5
12.Be2
Bg7
13.0-0
0-0
14.Ng5
Bc8
15.f4
f6
16.Nf3
f5
and Black managed to stabilise the situation in the centre in Dreev-Svidler, Poikovsky 2005]
8...c5!?
[An interesting novelty, returning the pawn in order to obtain counterplay in the centre. 8...b6
is the normal move, when play can continue with 9.Nf3
Bg7
10.Ng5
Bd5
11.e4
when radicasl changes in the pawn structure are to be expected after 11...h6
]
9.Qxb7
Bd5
10.Qb5+
Nd7
11.Nf3
Rb8
12.Qa4
cxd4
13.cxd4
Qc8
14.Rc1
#Black has considerably activated his play, but the main problem remains that White's centre is quite solid, which ensures him a strategic advantage in the long run.
14...e6
A double edged decision. Since the fianchetto diagonal is safely blocked by White's centre, Black intends to use his bishop along the a3-f8 diagonal. However, the last move brings to life the h4-bishop too, which will allow White create unpleasant threats with the collaboration of the queen.
15.Bxc4
Rb4
16.Qa6
Bb7
17.Qa5
The pressure against the c4-bishop is neutralised by the concentrated fire against the d8-square.
17...f6
This solves the mentioned problem, but weakens the structure in a chronic way.
18.Nd2
Bxg2
19.Rg1
Qc6
#Although we cannot describe this slightly unusual position with the typical "White has completed his development", we should notice that all his pieces are taking active part to the fight. Which makes Ivanchuk's tactical solution quite logical.
20.Rxg2!
Qxg2
21.Bxe6
Bd6
22.Rc8+
Ke7
23.Rxh8
Kxe6
24.Qd8
Qg1+
25.Ke2
1-0