1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6

The variation starting with 6...Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 seems more reliable.

7.f3 Bb4 8.e4



8...Bxe4

Black has not enjoyed much success with this line in recent years. If practice is anything to go by, White's extra bishop is stronger than three pawns.

9.fxe4 Nxe4 10.Bd2 Qxd4 11.Nxe4 Qxe4+ 12.Qe2 Bxd2+ 13.Kxd2 Qd5+ 14.Kc2 Na6 15.Nxc4 0-0 16.Qe5 Rab8 17.a5 f6



18.Qxd5 cxd5 19.Ne3 Rbc8+ 20.Kb1 Nc5 21.Ra3 f5

Quite an unusual idea in this particular line. Instead of trying to set his central pawns in motion, Khalifman prefers to create a stronghold for his knight on e4. The downside of this method of play is that it lacks dynamism.

22.Be2 Ne4 23.Rd1 Rc7 24.Nc2 Kf7 25.Nd4 Nd6



26.a6 b6?

Black should have chopped this advanced pawn off while he had the chance.

27.Re3 Re8 28.Re1 Ne4 29.Nb5 Rd7 30.Rc1

White is in the process of establishing control over the only open line on the board. If he manages to penetrate on the 7th rank, a7 will start to wobble.

30...Nc5 31.Nd4 Ra8 32.b4 Ne4



33.Bb5 Rd6

33...Re7 34.Nc6 and White picks up an exchange.

34.Rc7+ Kf6 35.Bc6 Rf8 36.Nb5

36.Rxa7 would have been premature in light of 36...e5.

36...Rdd8 37.Rxa7

All of the sudden, the pawn on a6 has become a decisive force.

37...Nd2+ 38.Kc1 Nc4 39.Re2 Ne5 40.Rc7 Rc8



41.Bb7! resigns.

1-0