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Good day everyone, welcome to the Chessdom live coverage of the World Cup final.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 Kamsky would be happy to repeat the Ruy Lopez Breyer that brought him draw in the first game.
6... b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.d4 ( Shirov is first to depart from the first game that saw 9.h3 Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7)
9... Bg4 Immediately taking advantage of absence of 9.h3. Main lines are 10. d5 and 10. Be3.
10.Be3 Now 10...cxd4, 11...Na5 and 12...Nc4 for Kamsky.
10... exd4 11.cxd4 Na5 12.Bc2 c5 (12... Nc4 13.Bc1 c5 is another popular continuation, also used by Shirov)
13.Nc3 ( Rare move, main lines are 13.dxc5) ( and 13.Nbd2)
13... cxd4 ( Interesting complications arise after 13... Nc4 14.dxc5 Nxb2 15.Qc1 Nc4)
14.Bxd4 Nc6 (14... Nc4 is strongly met with 15.Nd5)
15.Bb3 White is increasing control over d5 square. On 15...Ne5? 16. Bxe5 Bxf3 (16...dxe5 17. Qxd8 and Nxe5) 17. Qxf3 dxe5 18. Red1, White is better. ( Black is equal in 15.Be3 Ne5)
15... Rc8 This could be an improvement as Black is keeping all options at hand... (15... Nxd4 16.Qxd4 Bxf3 17.gxf3 brought quick victory to White in one of the games.)
16.Re3 Shirov wants to keep his pawn structure intact in case of Bxf3. Attractive at first sight is 16...Nxd4 17. Qxd4 d5, but White cleans the mess with 18. Nxd5 Bc5 19. Nxf6 and Queens exchange.
16... Nd7! Kamsky wants to trade on d4 (maybe on f3 as well) and continue with Bf6 and/or Ne5. Now 17. Nd5 Bg5 is equal...
17.Nd5 Bg5 18.Rc3 18...Nde5 looking good, but not 18...Nce5? 19. Rxc8 Qxc8 20. Nxg5 and fork on e7 is next.
18... b4 19. Rc2 most probable, but knowing Shirov, he must be contemplating about 19. Rxc6 Rxc6 20. Nxb4 Rc8 21. Nxa6 or 20. Ba4
19.Rc4 Bxf3 20.gxf3 Nxd4 ( After 20...Nxd4 White is better. 20... Nde5! 21.Bxe5 dxe5 and White has problems with pawn structure and dark squares. (21... Nxe5? 22.Rxc8 Qxc8 23.f4))
21.Rxd4 a5 (21... Bc1!? suggested by engine!)
22.f4! Bh6 23.Qg4 White has clear advantage, 23...Nf6? 24. Qxc8! and Ne7+
23... Rc5 (23... Kh8 24.Ne3! with double threat of Nf5 and e5. 24... Nf6 25.Qf3)
24.Ne3! The best continuation! Knight is heading to f5, and on 24...Qf6 25. e5! There were other moves, like 24. Rad1, but not so convincing.
24... Nf6 25.Qf3! Qa8 (25... Nh5 26.Nf5 Rxf5 only move 27.exf5 gives big edge to Shirov)
26.Rad1 (26.Bd5 Nxd5 27.Nxd5 f5! and Black is equalizing)
26... g6 Opposite colored Bishops, with the presence of heavy pieces, are giving better chances to the attacking side - in this case Shirov. But he shouldn't trade the Knights yet, 27. Nc4 looks strong.
27.Nc4! a4 (27... Rf5 looking funny, but it doesn't work 28.Nb6 Qb7 (28... Rxf4 29.Qxf4 Bxf4 30.Nxa8 Rxa8) 29.Nd5)
28.Nb6 Qc6 Simple Nxa4... (28... Qb7 29.Nxa4)
29.Nxa4 Rc1 (29... Rf5 30.Rc4! Qb7 31.Rxb4!)
30.Rxb4 (30.Nc3!? Rxd1+ 31.Nxd1 Re8 32.Ne3 Nxe4 (32... Qc1+ 33.Kg2 Qxb2 34.Rxb4 with wonderful advantage) 33.Kg2! and Bd5.)
30... Rxd1+ 31.Bxd1 Qc1 32.e5 (32.Nc3 Bxf4 33.a4 Be5)
32... dxe5 33.fxe5 Qg5+ 34.Kf1 (34.Qg3? Qd2! and Black is better!)
34... Qxe5 35.h3 Bd2! 36.Rc4 Rd8 37.Bb3 Having eye on f7..
37... Kg7 38.Kg2 Qg5+ 39.Qg3 Qd5+ 40.Qf3 Qg5+ The players have reached the time control after severe time trouble. Shirov will now consider all options, but most of his advantage is already gone. Kamsky's pieces are well coordinated and he should be able to hold the balance.
41.Qg3 Qd5+ After the careful examination, Shirov realized that it might be too dangerous to decline the perpetual check, and thus players have agreed to a draw. He will still try to win the last game with Black pieces, but Kamsky might be able to pull one of those equal positions that he loves so much. Thank you everyone for following Chessdom live commentary, see you again tomorrow at 11 CET/5 EST for the last game of this match.
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