1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
g6
3.Nc3
d5
Not a surprise. The Gruenfeld has become Kamsky's usual "pet" line in matches, and it worked pretty well in the quarter-final against Topalov.
4.Bg5
Gelfand chooses a solid line which is in accordance with his "strategy" in this event. He has not taken drastic measures with White so far, and stays faithful to this approach once more.
4...Ne4
5.Bh4
Nxc3
6.bxc3
dxc4!?
A correct decision by Kamsky. He is fully aware of his opponent's skill in technical positions, therefore it is logical to avoid simplifications, which are mostly forced after 6...c5.
7.e3
Be6
8.Nf3
Bg7
9.Be2
c5
10.0-0
0-0
11.Rb1
A rare choice by Gelfand. [11.Ng5
Bd5
12.e4
h6
is the sharp line which has been favored among the players so far.]
11...Bd5
Not a novelty, but a rare choice which I am skeptic of. [11...cxd4
12.Nxd4
Bd5
13.f3
b6
14.e4
Bb7
15.Bxc4
Nc6
(40) 1/2-1/2 And Black had no problems in the very recent Vuckovic,B (2626)-Sanikidze,T (2542)/Aix les Bains 2011/CB13_2011 ]
12.Qc2
Now White threats e4, and I believe that Gelfand had managed to obtain a small plus at this point.
12...cxd4
13.cxd4
13...b6?!
But this is too much. Kamsky's plan is too slow, and now White is going to develop a strong initiative by gaining full control over the c-file.
14.Bxc4
Nc6
15.Rfc1
Bxc4
16.Qxc4
Na5
17.Qc7!
Simple and effective. Now White's chances in the upcoming ending are indisputable.
17...f6
18.Qxd8
Rfxd8
19.Rc7
Kf7
20.Rbc1
Ke8
21.Bg3
[21.g4!?
Rd7
22.Bg3
was an alternative which adds the g-pawn to White's strong arsenal.]
21...Bh6
22.Kf1
Rd7
23.Rxd7
Kxd7
24.Rc7+
Ke8
25.Nd2
Black is running out of moves while White is just improving his pieces.
25...b5
26.Ne4
a6
27.Nc3?
Gelfand has conducted the game masterfully so far, but here he goes astray for the first time in this game. White had not one, but two very strong continuations here. [The first was the strong tactical 27.Bd6!
Bf8
(The point is that if the bishop is taken with 27...exd6
White's rook is treated to a self-service buffet in Black's position. 28.Rxh7
Bf8
29.Nxf6+
Kd8
30.Rd7+
Kc8
31.Rf7
Bh6
32.h4!
and the bishop has nowhere to hide.) 28.Bc5
Nc4
29.Nc3
Rd8
30.Rc6!
; The second choice is the more positional squeeze with 27.Nc5!
Bf8
28.d5!
Nc4
29.Ke2
h5
30.Ne6
Black is completely tied down here.]
27...Bf8
28.Nd5
Rd8
29.e4?
This was Gelfand's last chance to maintain control of the game and his advantage. Unfortunately, this pawn move lets Black simplify which will give him some counterplay. [Gelfand could go for a more timid but more effective 29.Nf4
Kf7
30.Nd3
Nc4
31.Ke2
Re8
32.Nc5
Ra8
(32...a5
33.a4!
bxa4??
34.Ne4+-
If the knight moves, Nd6+ ends it.) 33.d5
And White would have pushed Black's pieces off the board.]
29...f5!
Kamsky seizes his chance!
30.f3
fxe4
31.fxe4
Rd7
32.Ke2
Bg7
33.Bf2
e6
34.Rc8+
Kf7
Kamsky has managed to pull himself out of the fire. After the more or less forced sequence that follows, he manages to keep the balance.
35.Nb6
Rb7
36.d5
[The computer likes 36.Na8
b4
(36...Nc4?
37.Rc7+
wins a pawn) 37.e5
b3
38.axb3
Nxb3
39.Nc7
Nc1+
after which White has some pressure, nevertheless Black should be able to hold due to reduced material on the board.]
36...exd5
37.exd5
Be5
38.Ra8
Nc4
39.Rxa6
Nxb6
40.Bxb6
Bxh2
41.Kf3
Rd7
42.Ke4
Re7+
43.Kd3
Rd7
44.Kd4
Bg1+
45.Ke4
Re7+
46.Kf4
Bxb6
47.Rxb6
Re2
48.g4
h5!
An active move which accelerates the simplifications.The fate of the game is sealed. Kamsky has slipped through the Gelfand's hands.
49.Rb7+
Kf8
50.g5
h4
51.Rh7
b4
52.Rxh4
Ke7
53.Rh6
Rxa2
54.Rxg6
Rd2
55.Re6+
Kf7
56.Ke5
b3
57.Rf6+
Kg7
58.Rb6
b2
59.d6
Kg6
60.Ke6
Re2+
61.Kd5
Rd2+
62.Kc6
Kxg5
63.d7
Rc2+
64.Kd6
Rd2+
65.Ke6
Re2+
66.Kf7
Rf2+
If the Black rook were on b1 and White's king on d8 it would be winning for White with the help of famous maneuve from Lasker-Keres or Lasker-Keres-Mahjoob (the latter term has a funny story in Iranian chess!). 1/2-1/2