1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.0-0 a6



7.dxc5

An excellent choice against a player like Shirov, who prefers sharp, tactical positions.

7...Qxd1 8.Rxd1 Bxc5 9.Nbd2 b6 10.Be2 Bb7 11.Nc4 Nbd7 12.Nd4 0-0 13.Nb3 Be7



14.f3

Erecting a central wall which will effectively shut down Bb7. White enjoys a small, but comfortable advantage here.

14...a5 15.e4 a4 16.Nd4 Bc5 17.Be3 Rfd8 18.Kf2 Kf8 19.Nb5 Ke7 20.Bxc5+ bxc5 21.Nc3 Ba6 22.Rac1 Bxc4 23.Bxc4 Ne5 24.Be2 Rdb8 25.Rd2 g5



26.g3

White's simple idea is to evict Ne5 from its central post with f3-f4.

26...c4 27.Ke3 a3 28.Rb1 axb2 29.Rbxb2 Rxb2 30.Rxb2 Ra3 31.Rb7+ Kd6 32.Kd2



32...Kc5?

Black needed to chase White's rook off the 7th rank with 32...Kc6.

33.f4 gxf4 34.gxf4



34...Rxc3?

This sacrifice gives Black a temporary initiative, but it's bound to die out sooner or later. The best way to put up a struggle was 34...Ned7 35.e5 Kc6 36.Rb4 Nd5 37.Rxc4+ Kb6.

35.Kxc3 Nxe4+ 36.Kb2 Nc6 37.Rxf7 c3+ 38.Kc1 Nb4 39.Rc7+ Kd5 40.a3! Nc6

40...Na2+ 41.Kb1 and the knight is trapped.

41.Bf3 resigns.

1-0