1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6

Tatev said she was surprised at this move, and figured Krush would play the classical with d6, cxd4, Nf6, and Nc6 as she has done many times previously. Also, Krush likes to essay the O'Kelly with 2...a6, which she has played twice previously against Tatev, with Irina scoring 2-0 those games!

3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3

This opening is a favorite of IM Rusa Goletiani. Rusa was not having a good tournament, but maybe Krush liked the ideas for black in this opening, and thought it her best chance for a double-edged game she could win.

5... Bc5 6. Nb3 Be7 7. Qg4 g6 8. Qe2 d6 9. O-O Nd7

Both players are following the main line. Now Tatev plays the unusual 10. Bd2!? when 10.c4 is the main line. Tatev said she had played this way previously. It is an interesting idea to put the Bc3 and Nbd2, so the c4 pawn has more protection, and the Bc3 can be quite active.

10. Bd2 b6 11. f4 Bb7 12. c4 Ngf6 13. Bc3 O-O 14. e5

Jen and I thought this might be premature, but Tatev thought she should have played e5 even earlier!

14... Nh5 15. N1d2 Qc7

I thought this position was dynamically equal. White has chances to build up a kingside attack (as we shall see!) and black has a very solid, flexible formation, with good counter-chances on the e5 and c4 weaknesses.

16. Rae1 Rad8 17. Bb1 Rfe8

This was a bit surprising, as it weakens f7, but, Krush wanted to reposition her bishop, which is an excellent idea.

18. Qg4 Bf8 19. Qh3 Ng7 20. Be4 d5

I was also mildly surprised by this move, as it gives up the fight for e5, but Tatev expected Krush to play this way, as it fights for the center, and c and d files.

21. cxd5 Bxd5 22. Nf3?!

Tatev correctly pointed out that she should have played... 22. Bxd5 exd5 23. Nf3 ..with a slight edge to white.

22... Bc4

Another surprise, but, Rybka says it is best! Black now has good counter-chances on the queenside.

23. Ng5! h5 24. Rf3 Be7

24... Nc5 and black has nice play.

25. Bb1?!

Tatev thought she should have played 25.Bc2, so that after b5, she could play a3, and her Nb3 is protected.

25... b5 26. g4!?

Both sides were in time trouble, so Tatev starts to attack. Maybe it is not sound, but fun for the spectators (and commentators!). Krush had less than 3 minutes at this point, so finding the proper defenses is exceedingly difficult.

26... Bxg5 27. fxg5 Bxb3 28. axb3 Nc5?

Tatev was expecting... 28... Qc5+! 29. Rf2 b4 ...and she thought Krush had a much better position. Rybka agrees.

29. gxh5 Nxh5 30. Qg4 a5?!

30... Nxb3!

31. Rh3?

31. b4!

31... Ng7?

31... b4!

32. Rh6 Nxb3

32... b4 33. Qh4

32... Nh5

33. Qh4 Kf8!?

33... Nh5 34. Bxg6!! fxg6 35. Rxg6+ Ng7 36. Rh6

34. Rh7?!

34. Rxg6! fxg6? (34... Nd2 35. Bxd2 Rxd2 36. Rxg7! Kxg7 37. Qh6+ Kg8 38. Bh7+ Kh8 39. Be4+ Kg8 40. g6! Qc5+ 41. Kh1 Qf2 42. Rg1 Qxh2+ 43. Qxh2 Rxh2+ 44. Kxh2) 35. Qh8+ Kf7 36. Bxg6+ Kxg6 37. Qh6+ Kf7 38. g6+ Kg8 39. Qh7+ Kf8 40. Qh8+ Ke7 41. Qxg7#

34... Nf5?

34... Qc4!=

35. Bxf5 Qc5+ 36. Kg2 exf5 37. Qh6+

37. e6!

37... Ke7 38. Rxf7+??

38. Qxg6! Qd5+ 39. Kf2

38... Ke6??

38... Kxf7! 39. e6+ Ke7 Tatev missed Ke7 (as probably Irina did, as she had less than 30 seconds left). 40. Qxg6 Qc6+ 41. Kg1 Rd5

39. Qxg6+ Kd5 40. Qxf5 Kc4

Neither side lost on time, but, as the time control is made, it is clear white is winning. A titanic struggle!

41. Qe4+ Nd4 42. Bxd4 Qxd4 43. Qc2+ 1-0 [Finegold B. IM]