1.e4
c5
2.Nf3
e6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
a6
5.Bd3
Bc5
6.Nb3
Be7
7.Qg4
g6
8.Qe2
d6
9.0-0
Nc6
10.c4
Ne5
11.h3
The first new move, normal being Nc3, however one wonders what it achieves that outweighs simple development.
11...Nf6
12.Bh6
Nh5
13.N1d2?!
Missing Black's strong and highly original idea. [In order to prevent Svidler's concept, Kurnusov had to play 13.f4!
Ng3
14.Qf2
Nxd3
(14...Nxf1?
15.fxe5
) 15.Qxg3
Nc5
16.N1d2
and White is better.]
13...Nxd3
14.Qxd3
14...g5!
15.e5
dxe5
16.Qf3
Nf4!
The point is clear. Not only has Black secured a fine outpost for the knight, but he is even threatening the h6 bishop with a rather unpleasant Rg8-g6.
17.Bg7
Rg8
18.Bxe5
Qd3
19.c5?!
[Better was 19.Qe4
f6
20.Bxf4
Qxe4
21.Nxe4
gxf4
22.Rad1
e5
with a slight edge for Black, but nothing tragic.]
19...Qxf3
20.Nxf3
f6
21.Bd6
White underestimates the strength of the knight, and should have exchanged it while he had a chance.
21...e5
22.Nfd2
22...g4!
The protected bishop on d6 may look big and strong, but it is really biting on dust.
23.h4
Be6
24.g3
Nd3
25.Rab1
a5
26.Ne4
Nb4
27.Rfe1
a4
28.Nc1
Kf7
29.a3
Nc2
30.Rd1
Bf5
31.Bxe7?
Bxe4!
32.Bd6
Nxa3
33.Ra1
Nc2
34.Ra2
Ke6
35.Rd2
Nd4
36.Kf1
Nf3
37.Re2
Bd5
38.Ra3
Bc4
39.Nd3
Nd4
40.Rc3
[40.Re1
Nb5
; 40.Rd2
e4
]
40...Bxd3
41.Rxd3
Nxe2
0-1