1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. Nf3

Anna sticks to what worked earlier in the tournament against Tsagaan.

6... Bd7

An unusual move. During the break, GM Pascal Charbonneau told me about a game Nakamura won against Ippolito in Foxwoods with a similar idea. I remember looking at that game, and, was surprised how quickly white got a bad position, considering Ippolito is such an expert in this line of the King's Indian.

7. O-O Qc8 8. Re1 Bh3 9. Bh1

There are a few games in my database in this position, and now, Alisa plays a novelty. White is little better due to her nice space advantage in the center.

9... Bg4!? 10. Bg5

Anna initiates the same idea Alisa had, attempting to trade off the Bg7. Alisa prevents this idea the same way as Anna, with Re8 (then Bh8 is possible after any attempt of Bh6).

10... Re8 11. Qd2 c6?!

I think this is too passive. Black should complete development with 11...Nc6. The idea of mixing Bg4 and Nbd7 is not good, as the Bg4 does not have a lot of squares, and, d4 can get weak with the combination of Bg4, Nc6, and Bg7.

12. Rad1 Nbd7 13. Bh6 Bh8 14. Ng5!

I really liked this move, as it makes the Bg4 uncomfortable. Afterwards, Alisa agreed this was quite strong, and felt she should have played Bxf3 earlier to prevent the big center white gets in the game, along with the Bg4 difficulties.

14... Nf8

Passive, but, black had to do something to make sure the Bg4 does not get trapped.

15. Bg2 Ne6 16. f3 Nxg5 17. Bxg5 Bh3 18. Bxh3 Qxh3 19. e4

Black has wasted a lot of time with the maneuver Nbd7, Nf8, Ne6, and finally, Nxg5. Unfortunately for Alisa, white has built a big center in the meantime.

19... Nh5 20. Qf2 Bf6 21. Be3 b6 22. f4 c5

Black cannot take the pressure, and decides to boldly fight back in the center. Anna decides, correctly, to play aggressively, as black's pieces are misplaced on the h file.

23. e5! cxd4 24. Bxd4 dxe5 25. fxe5 Bh8 26. Nd5

This monster knight virtually decides the game.

26... Rac8 27. b3 Qe6 28. Bb2 Ng7 29. Rf1

Black has very little counterplay, and even though both players were about to get into time trouble, Anna keeps her advantages continuing the slow buildup.

29... h5 30. Nf4 Qf5 31. Qe2! Ne6 32. Nd5 Qg4 33. Qg2

In the commentary room, Jen Shahade thought white could simply win a pawn with 33.Qxg4 hxg4 34.Ne3. Rybka agrees this is the best way, but, perhaps Anna wanted to continue building up the pressure, and did not want to make a big decision (trading queens) in time pressure.

33... h4 34. gxh4 Qxh4 35. Rd3

I thought white was winning here during the live commentary, due to the power of her rooks, compared to the passive placement of black's rooks.

35... Bg7 36. Rh3 Qg5 37. Rg3 Qh5 38. Rh3 Qg5 39. Rg3 Qh5

Anna makes a wise decision here, repeating moves to get closer to the time control at move 40, when she will be able to relax, and find a good winning plan.

40. Qf2 g5 41. a4!

During the game, I was astounded by this move. A very impressive understanding of the position. Anna told me later, that she felt black could only get counterplay with a later b5, so, she nips this in this bud, and continues with her kingside play later. We both agreed Rybka would not like this move, but that it showed an excellent understanding of the position. Black has little to no counterplay, so, white can afford to be patient.

41... Rcd8 42. Qf5 Qg6 43. Qg4 Kh7 44. h4 Bh6 45. Qf3

White had many other strong continuations, but, the text move is also good enough to win. Now Alisa MUST play 45...Kg8, but white would still be winning after 46.hxg5

45... Rf8? 46. h5

46. Nxe7! Qc2 47. hxg5 Nxg5 (47... Qxb2 48. Qf5+ Kh8 49. Qf6+ Bg7 50. Rh3#) 48. Qh5

46... Qc2 47. Rg2 g4 48. Qxg4?

Anna should play... 48. Qxf7+ Rxf7 49. Rxf7+ Kg8 50. Rxc2 Kxf7 51. Rf2+

48... Rg8?

Alisa is back in the game (although still worse) if she finds.. 48... Qxb3! 49. Nxe7! (49. Rxf7+?! Rxf7 50. Qg6+ Kh8 51. Qxf7 Qh3!=) 49... Bg5 50. Nd5 Kh8!

49. Rxf7+ Kh8 50. Rxc2 Rxg4+ 51. Rg2 Rxg2+ 52. Kxg2 Nf4+?! 53. Nxf4 Rd2+ 54. Kf3 Rxb2 55. Ng6+ Kg8 56. Rxe7 Rxb3+ 57. Ke4 Rb4 58. Rc7 Rxa4 59. e6 Ra1 60. Rc8+ Kg7 61. e7 Re1+ 62. Kd5 Kf7 63. Rf8+

A positional masterpiece from Zatonskih. Melekhina put up a heroic defense, but it was not quite enough this game.

1-0 [Finegold B. IM]