2. c4,c6
3. d4,Nf6
4. Qc2,
I do not know a lot about the Slav, but I decided I'd give it a try after 2.c4. I was totally out of my book after 4.Qc2, and the GM was moving very quickly - the first moves were made at a rate of one every 30 seconds.
4. ...,g6
5. Bf4,Bg7
6. e3,Bf5
7. Qb3,Qb6
8. Nc3,0-0
9. c5,
This is very standard, and I was expecting it. However, I guess he could have played 9.Qxb6,axb6 10.cxd5 when the b-pawns are a bit weak.
9. ...Qxb3
10. axb3, Nbd7
11. b4?!,
This is a standard plan - pushing on b5 and pressuring the queenside. However, it is a bit early to carry it out here, because black has already developed and can start active play in the center.
11. ..., Nh5!
12. Bg5, e5
13. Be2, h6
An important move: black wants to play Nf4 and needs to chase away the bishop.
14. Bh4, exd4
15.Nxd4, Bxd4!
16.exd4, Nf4
17.Bf1?!,
Very passive. I was expecting 17.0-0, when 17.... Nxe2 18.Nxe2 Bd3 is not so good because of 19.Rfe1 and now on 19.... Rfe8 he has the choice of Ra3 or Nf4, while on 19... Bxe2 20.Rxe2 Rfe8? (20.... a6 is only slightly better for 21.Rae1 is a nuisance) 21. Rxa7! wins a pawn. On 17.0-0 I would have probably played Nxe2 18.Nxe2 a6 and black is OK.
17. ..., Bd3!
18. Kd2,
He can't play 18.Bxd3, since 18.... Nxg2 is a safe pawn to grab (Nxd3+ is also ok).
18. ..., Bxf1
19. Rhxf1, a6
20. Bg3, Ne6
21. Kd3, Rfe8
Black has a positional edge, thanks to white's bad dark-squared bishop. This is not yet serious; however I felt relaxed at the board, since it is white who has to be careful now and avoid exchanging rooks.
22. Rfe1, Ng7
23. h3?! h5?!
We both missed that on 23.Rxe8, Rxe8 24.b5!, axb5 25.Ra7 white would get some counterplay.
24. Rxe8+, Rxe8
25. Rd1?,
But this is a serious mistake. 25.b5 was the only way to keep the balance. Now he has a seriously passive position.
25. ..., Nf5
26. Bh2, Nh4!
27. Rg1,
Sadly, there is nothing better. Pushing the g2 pawn would mean establishing my knight on f3, with more sorrow to come...
27. ..., Nf6
28. Ne2, Ne4
29. f3?,
The decisive mistake, although the position is already bad for him.
29. ..., Nf2+!
30. Kd2,
30. ..., Nxh3
31. gxh3,
Nothing would come of 31.Rh1, Nxg2 when B escapes with the pawns: there is not a single black target on the black squares to hit with a discovered bishop move...
31. ..., Nxf3+
32. Kd3, Nxh2
33. Rh1,
When playing 29.... Nf2+ B had to see that the knight would escape: in fact it does, for after 33.Rg3 (preventing Nf3, with the idea that 33.... Nf1 34. Rf3 Nh2 35.Rf2 wins the knight) 34....h4! keeps things in order.
33. ..., Nf3
34. h4??, Re4
He resigned: B wins a third pawn.
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