1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
e6
3.Nf3
b6
The Queen's Indian Defense. The fight is on for the e4-square
4.g3
Ba6
A clever response. White has no useful way to defend the c4-pawn
5.b3
Bb4+
6.Bd2
Black counts on the Bd2 to be misplaced
6...Be7
7.Bg2
c6
Solid chess, intending d5
8.Ne5
d5
9.Bc3
0-0
10.Nd2
c5
Black has adequate counter-play but hopes for more. A win ties Leko with Anand for first place.
11.dxc5
Bxc5
Not bxc5 when black winds up with "hanging pawns" on c5 and d5
12.0-0
Bb7
The bishop has done its job on a6 and now over-protects the key d5-pawn
13.e3
Knowing that Leko must win, Kramnik plays solid chess.
13...Be7
14.Rc1
Nbd7
15.Nxd7
Qxd7
16.Bxf6
To leave black with an isolated d-pawn
16...Bxf6
17.cxd5
exd5
[17...Bxd5
18.Ne4
Be5
19.Nc3
Rad8
20.Nxd5
exd5
21.Qd3+/-
]
18.Ne4
Using the attack on the Bf6 to bring the knight to the key d4-square.
18...Be5
19.Qd3
Rad8
unpinning the Qd7
20.Ng5
Not really playing for mate, though he is happy to see the ...g7-g6 weakness. The idea is Nf3-d4, blockading the isolated d-pawn
20...g6
21.Nf3
Bf6
22.Rfd1
Rc8
23.Nd4
Black has no real hope of winning here. By contrast, white can try to mount pressure on the isolated d-pawn, tying up black's pieces in its defense.
23...Rxc1
24.Rxc1
Rc8
25.Rd1
Qc7
26.Ne2
Ceding the c2-entry square but Ne2-f4 puts powerful pressure upon the d-pawn
26...Qc2
27.Nf4
Qxa2
28.Nxd5
Bxd5
[28...Bd8
29.Nb4+-
]
29.Bxd5
Threatening Bxf7 Kxf7 Qd7 +-
29...Rc7
30.Bc4
The opposite colored bishops often fuel heavu piece attacks.
30...Qa3
31.e4
b5
32.Bxb5
Rc3
33.Qd7
Qxb3
34.e5
Be7
[34...Bxe5??
35.Qe8+
Kg7
36.Qxe5+
]
35.Be2
Qe6?!
Hoping for activity in the ensuing endgame, but white has all the chances [35...Bc5
36.Qd8+
Bf8
37.Qe8
Qe6
38.Qxe6
fxe6
39.Bg4
Rc6
is better than the game]
36.Qxe6
fxe6
37.Rd7
Kf8
[37...Bc5
38.Bg4
]
38.Rxa7
Rc2
39.Kf1
Rc1+
40.Kg2
Rc2
41.Kf3
g5
42.Ra8+
Kg7
43.Bd3
Rc5
44.Ke4
Rc6
The rook needs to stay on the 6th rank to prevent Ra6 and a bishop attack on the e6-pawn
45.f4
gxf4
46.gxf4
Kf7
47.Ra4
Bd8
48.Bc4
Ke7
49.Kd3
Bc7
50.Ra8
Bd8
51.Ra7+
Bc7
52.Bb5!
Rc5
53.Kd4
Rd5+
54.Kc4
Kd8
Diagram
55.f5
[55.Ra8+!
Ke7
56.Rh8
Bb6
57.Rxh7+
Kd8
58.Bc6
Rc5+
59.Kb4
Rxc6
60.Kb5
Rc7
61.Rh8+
Ke7
62.Kxb6+-
]
55...Rd4+
[55...Rxe5
56.f6
Kc8
57.f7
Rf5
58.Ra8+
Bb8
59.Be8
Kb7
60.Ra3~~
]
56.Kc5
[56.Kxd4
Bb6+
57.Kd3
Bxa7
58.f6=
]
56...Rd5+
57.Kc4
Rd4+
58.Kxd4
Bb6+
59.Kd3
Bxa7
60.f6=
Bg1
61.h3
Bc5
62.Ke4
Ba3
63.h4
Bb2
64.Kf4
h6
65.Bc4
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