1.e4
e5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.Bb5
a6
4.Ba4
Nf6
5.0-0
Be7
6.Re1
b5
7.Bb3
0-0
8.c3
A principial duel between two Marshall specialists is always interesting to watch.
8...d5
9.exd5
Nxd5
10.Nxe5
Nxe5
11.Rxe5
c6
12.d4
Bd6
13.Re1
Qh4
14.g3
Qh3
15.Qe2!?
Astonishngly, this seems to be a new move. In the main line, White hurries to place his bishop on the exposed e3-square. With his last move, Svidler expresses his belief that the higher priority is to expell the enemy queen from its threatening position.
15...Bg4
16.Qf1
Qh5
17.Nd2
Rae8
18.Rxe8
Rxe8
19.f3
Bf5
20.Ne4
In some other lines, White gladly places a rook on this square, offering an exchange sacrifice which Black accepts only rarely. Installing a knight here is a great achievement for White.
20...Bc7
[A fine tactical point is that Black cannot win the pawn back with 20...Bxe4?
21.fxe4
Rxe4
because after 22.Bd1
Qg6
(forced) 23.Bc2
he loses an exchange. An impressive demonstration of the force of two bishops.]
21.Bd2
Qg6
22.Re1
[White hurries to complete his development. Actually, it is not entirely clear whether the modestly looking 22.Bc2
, consolidating the knight, was entirely wrong.]
22...Bxe4
23.Rxe4
White had several tempting continuations at his disposal and Svidler's choice might not be the best. For the author of the express report is not much easier to decide which is the best way to maintain a stable advantage and he kindly passes the responsability of digging in for the truth to the Chessbase Magazine 120 commentator.
23...Rxe4
24.Bc2
f5
25.fxe4
fxe4
26.Qg2
Nf6
27.Qh3
Ng4
28.Bb3+
Kf8
29.Bd1
e3
30.Bc1
h5
31.Bxg4
hxg4
32.Qf1+
Ke8
33.Bxe3
Kd7
34.Qe2
Qf5
35.b3
g6
White has won a pawn, but Black's centralized army as well as the firm control on light squares offers him good saving chances. Besided, the white king is passive and slightly exposed.
36.Bf2
Bd6
37.c4
bxc4
38.bxc4
Bc7
39.d5
cxd5
40.cxd5
Bd6
41.a4
Qb1+
42.Kg2
Qf5
43.Kg1
1/2-1/2