Svidler – Leko LIVE commentary

GM Svidler (2735) – GM Leko (2751) [C89]
14.09.2007

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0–0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Qe2 Bg4 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.Nd2 Rae8 18.Rxe8 Rxe8 19.f3 Bf5 20.Ne4 Bc7 21.Bd2 Qg6 22.Re1 Bxe4 23.Rxe4 Rxe4 24.Bc2 f5 25.fxe4 fxe4 26.Qg2 Nf6 27.Qh3 Ng4 28.Bb3+ Kf8 29.Bd1 e3 30.Bc1 h5 31.Bxg4 hxg4 32.Qf1+ Ke8 33.Bxe3 Kd7 34.Qe2 Qf5 35.b3 g6 36.Bf2 Bd6 37.c4 bxc4 38.bxc4 Bc7 (Even though White is up a pawn, White’s King is not so safe. Therefore, it is very hard if not impossible for White to win this position. Black always have a shot for counter play.)

39. d5 cxd5 40.cxd5 Bd6 += 41.a4 (After the time control, Svidler spent a considerable amount of time for this move. However, I still do not see a clear way for White to make progress.)

41…Qb1+ 42.Kg2 Qf5 += 43.Kg1 1/2 (As predicted, there is no way for White to make progress without facing perpetual check due to the poor King safety. Nice play by Svidler and nice hold by Leko.)