1.e4
e5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.d4
exd4
4.Nxd4
Bc5
5.Be3
Qf6
6.c3
Nge7
7.Bc4
Ne5
Two rounds earlier, facing the same variation against the same opponent, Svidler jumped with his knight only after castling.
8.Bb3
Despite the unsatisfactory result of the aforementioned game, Morozevich sticks to this unusual bishop retreat.
8...Qg6
9.0-0
d5
An accelerated form of central counterplay. The tactical justification consists of the fact that the capture on d5 would lose material to ...Bh3.
10.Bf4
Bg4
11.Qc2
f6
12.Ba4+
c6
13.Nd2
0-0
14.f3
Bd7
15.Kh1
Bb6
16.Rae1
Rae8
We have reached a curious position. The pawn structure is perfectly symmetrical if we take the centre of the board as a reference point. Both sides' development is just normal, which makes the chances about equal. In the next phase of the game, both players will manoeuvre in their own territory, hoping to convince the opponent to release the tension in the centre and this way get some micro-initiative.
17.Re2
Kh8
18.Bg3
Qh5
19.Qd1
Bc7
20.Rfe1
Bb8
21.exd5
Finally!
21...Nxd5
22.Nf1
Nb6
23.Bc2
c5
24.Re4!?
Rudolf Spielmann would call this a passive sacrifice, because Black is not forced to accept it.
24...Qf7
[But maybe in this case he should accept it! After 24...cxd4!?
25.Rh4
Qf7
26.Bxh7
g5
27.Bg6+
gxh4
28.Bxf7
Rxf7
Black would get more than sufficient material compensation for the sacrificed queen, while the weakness of his king is not easy to take advantage of.]
25.Nb3
Bf5
26.R4e2
Rd8
27.Rd2
Bxc2
28.Qxc2
Rxd2
29.Nfxd2
c4
30.Nd4
Nbd7
31.Re2
a6
32.Ne4
b5
33.b4
Qd5
34.Nf2
Nb6
35.Re4
Qd7
36.Bxe5
Bxe5
37.Ng4
Bb8
38.Ne3
Re8
39.g3
g6
40.Kg2
f5
41.Rxe8+
Qxe8
42.Qd2
Be5
43.Ne2
Kg7
44.Kf2
Qe7
45.f4
Bf6
46.g4
fxg4
47.Nxg4
Qd8
48.Qe3
Nd5
49.Qa7+
Qe7
50.Qxa6
Qd7
51.Nxf6
Nxf6
52.Qa8
Qh3
53.Ke1
Qd3
54.Qa7+
Kh6
55.Qd4
Qb1+
56.Kf2
Ng4+
57.Kg3
Qxa2
58.h3
Qxe2
59.hxg4
Qe1+
60.Kf3
Qh1+
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