GM Einar Gausel annotates the
Corus tournament
Kramnik
(2772) - Tiviakov (2597)
Wijk aan Zee (4), 2001
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0-0 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.0-0
Nc6 8.a3 Bxc3 9.bxc3 dxc4 10.Bxc4
10...Qc7
This variation has been one of Black's most reliable defences for
nearly 50 years.
11.Bb2 e5 12.h3 e4
12...Bf5 was more flexible.
13.Nd2 Na5 14.Ba2 Bf5
Closing with 14...c4, seems more logical when your opponent has
the two bishops, but the text is perfectly playable.
15.c4 Rfe8 16.d5 Nd7
17.f4!?
This practically forces Black to open up, since he can hardly allow
White to advance his g-pawn. True, White may become exposed on
the e-file, but Kramnik is willing to take this risk in order to
get both bishops working and his heavies attacking on the f-file.
17...exf3 18.Qxf3 Bg6 19.h4 h5 20.Bb1 Qd6 21.Bc3 b6 22.Ne4
22...Rxe4?
Panic or optimism? Hard to say, but at any rate Black appears to
be doing alright after 22...Qe7 23.Bxa5 bxa5 24.Ng5 Qxe3+ 25.Qxe3
Rxe3 26.Bxg6 fxg6.
23.Bxe4 Nxc4 24.Qf4 Qxf4 25.Rxf4 Nxe3 26.Bf3 Nc2?!
The knight has no business trotting around deep in enemy territory.
27.Ra2 Re8? 28.g4!?
28.Bxh5 was also possible.
28...hxg4 29.Bxg4 Ne5
30.d6!
This passer turns out to be a real headache for Black, despite
that fact that White is unable to support it with his rooks.
30...Nxg4 31.Rxg4
Threatening Rxg6.
31...Re6 32.h5 Bd3 33.d7 Rd6 34.Rxg7+ Kf8
35.h6!
Here comes another one!
35...Nd4 36.Rag2 Bg6 37.Rf2 Nf5
Or 37...Ke7 38.h7
38.h7 resigns.
1-0
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Einar Gausel