FIDE World Chess Championship,
India, 22 December.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 5. Nc3
Here White were able to got numerous position called "hedgehog" after 5. Nb5 Qb6 6. c4 But since he decided to follow a central line we have to wait where Anand will try to astonish the rival. It became clear on the 9th move after rare met 9:Bd6.
e6 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Be3 Bb4 9. Na4 Bd6
There is undoubtedly -although the results' statistic is very unfavorable to Black nevertheless Black has not bad resources for an equality, besides "goes away" at once a few light pieces from the board and for Shirov, who loves to entangle his rivals in the complicated positions with many pieces it will be harder to do so.
10. g3 b5 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. Nxc8 Rxc8 13. a4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 e5 15. Be3 Bc5 16. axb5
There is obvious an Alexei's aspiration to go away from well-known in theory positions which arise after 16. Bxc5 Qxc5 17. axb5, which nevertheless lead to the problematical positions for Black.
Bxe3 17. fxe3 axb5 18. Bxb5 O-O 19. Rxf6 gxf6
Certainly White has a full compensation for the Exchange but Shirov was not succeed further to find the most perspective arrangement of his pieces. It desired the attention a scheme of attack with transference the Bishop on c4 and the Queen and Rook on f-file. Possibly this could be obtained after 20. Qg4+ Kh8 21. Qf3 Qb6 22. Bd3 Ra8 23. Rf1 with subsequent b2-b3 and Bc4. But does White has in this case a sufficient advantage after for example 22:Qxb2 23. Qxf6+ Kg8 - this is a question yet. After happened in the game
20. Bxd7 Ra8 21. Qg4+ Kh8
White could only expect not more than for a draw. Seizing the opportunity of such a favorable moment Vishi decidedly gain over the scale in his favor and obtains victory which as a matter of fact predetermines the outcome of the match.
22. Rf1 Rg8 23. Qh3 Qc5 24. Bf5 Qxe3+ 25. Kg2 h6
26. Qh5 Kg7 27. Qg4+ Qg5 28. Qf3 Rgd8 29. h4 Qd2+ 30. Kh3 Rd6 31. Rf2 Qd1
32. Kg4 Ra2 33. Qxd1 Rxd1 34. c4 Rb1 35. Rd2 Raxb2 36. Rd7 Rb7 37. Rd6 Rc7
38. Kh5 Rc1 39. g4 R7xc4 40. Rd7 Rc7 41. Rd8 Rh1
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