1.c4
e5
2.Nc3
Nc6
3.g3
Nf6
4.Bg2
Bb4
5.Nf3
0-0
6.0-0
d6
7.d3
Bxc3
8.bxc3
h6
9.Ne1
A very unusual continuation.
9...e4
10.Nc2
Re8
11.Rb1
b6
12.Bf4
This move, which may develop a piece, doesn't seem to belong to any cohesive plan.
12...Bb7
13.Nd4
Qd7
14.Nxc6
Bxc6
15.Qd2
Re7
16.d4?
16...Bb7
[Liem misses a chance to apply maximum pressure with 16...e3!
17.Bxe3
Bxg2
18.Kxg2
Qc6+
19.Kg1
Rae8!
And Black will not only recover his pawn, but will gain another for his efforts. Ng4 cannot be stopped and if 20.Rfe1
(20.h3?
loses to 20...Ne4
21.Qd3
Nxg3
Qh1 mate is threatened, and the exchange is lost since taking the knight with 22.fxg3
Rxe3
is fatal.) 20...Qxc4
]
17.c5
Ba6
18.Rfd1
Nd5
19.Be3
Bc4
20.Qc2?
Kobalia is just not himself in this game. Could the nerves of fighting for first place have given him the jitters?
20...Qg4
21.cxd6
cxd6
22.Re1
Nxe3
23.fxe3
d5
White's forces are split, unable to connect, the bishop is a prisoner, and the king is a target waiting to be attacked. It doesn't get much more bleak than this without being down material or facing mate.
24.Rb2
Rc8
25.Rf1
Rc6
26.Qa4
Rec7
27.Rc2
g5
Preventing Rf4 and preparing the final assault.
28.Kf2
h5
0-1