1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6 8. Bd3 h6 9. N5f3 c5 10. Be3 Qc7 11. Ne5 a6 12. Ngf3 cxd4?! A Well known, but dubious move ... Maybe Bologan wasn't prepared for this line. 13. Bxd4 Nbd5 14. O-O Bc5 15. Bb5+ Kf8 16. Bxc5+ Qxc5 17. Bc4 Ke7 A novelty. In the same position a few years ago Karpov played g6 against Rublevsky, but also faced great difficulties. 18. Bxd5 Nxd5 19. c4 Nf6 20. Rfd1 Bd7! The best defense! In this critical situation Bologan doesn't let up , and works hard to defend this unpleasant position. 20... a5? immediately fails after... 21. Nd4! and Nf5 is coming 21. b4 Qc7 21... Qxb4? will be suicide after 22. Rab1 22. Nd4! White has a number of effective lines, but Black always has possible defensive resources .. After a long thought, Leko correctly chooses the most unpleasant of situations for Black to defend. White does not achieve anything substantial after... 22. Qd2 Rhd8 23. b5 Qc5 24. Nd3 Qa3! 22. Qb2 Ba4! causing less impact(22... Rhd8?! 23. b5 Rac8 24. bxa6 bxa6 25. Rab1 and White has increased pressure versus the current variation) 23. Rd2 Rhd8 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. b5 axb5 and Black is OK 22. a4 Rhd8! 22. Qe3 Rhd8 23. b5 axb5 22. c5 Rhd8 23. Rd6 Bb5! 22... Rhd8 23. Rd3 Unfortunately, the interesting exchange sacrifice doesn't achieve anything. 23. Nf5+ Kf8 24. Nd6 Ba4 25. c5 Bxd1 26. Rxd1 b6! important to get rid of the Pawn on c5! 27. Nexf7 bxc5 28. bxc5 Qxc5 29. Nxd8 Rxd8 30. Qxe6 Qc7 31. h3 Ne8! And Black wins a piece. 23... Kf8 24. Rad1 24. Re1 24... Be8 25. h3 And the slow suffocation of Black's pieces begins! Black has no counterplay in this position. GM Christiansen also pointed out that 25.h4! looks like a strong possibility. 25... Nd7!? Bologan doesn't like to wait .... Obviously 25...Kg8 26. a3! Such alackadaisica l strengthening move just emphasizes the pleasant space advantage that White enjoys. 26. Ng4!? Leko is aiming at Black's King-side . Also now the move Qe6! is threatened. Many players in such a difficult situation would crumble without a fight .... However, Bologan steps up and accepts the challenge! 26. Ng6+ Kg8 27. c5 Kh7 (27... e5 28. Ne7+) 28. Qc2 maintains the initiative 26... Qxc4 27. Qd2!? The Positional way of handling this advantage. More exciting, but unclear, are the tactical continuations.... 27. Qe4 h5! (27... Kg8 28. Nxh6+ gxh6 29. Rg3+ Kf8 30. Qf4 with a strong attack) 28. Ne3 Qc7 29. Qh7 (29. Qxe6 Nf6) 29... Nf6 30. Qh8+ Ng8! 31. Qxh5 Ba4 32. R1d2 and White is keeping his unpleasant pressure. 27... Rac8 28. Nb3! Nothing is achieved after... 28. Nxh6 Ne5! 29. Nxe6+ Qxe6 30. Rxd8 Rxd8 31. Qxd8 gxh6 and Black has enough drawing resourses to keep the struggle balanced. 28... Qc7 29. Rc1 Qb8 30. Rxc8 Qxc8 31. b5! Leko classically watches over his initiative. Black is doing his best but still is in a difficult situation. The idea of Qb4-e7 is not so easy to prevent. 31... Qc4 32. bxa6 bxa6 33. Rd6? The First major mistake from Leko! He is so close to being able to wrap up this game with.... 33. Ne5! Qb5 34. Qa5! It is probable that this astonishing move was overlooked by both players. Black loses at least the exchange after... 34... Qxa5 35. Nxa5 f6 36. Nb7 and it is doubtful that Bologan can survive the resulting endgame after... 36... Nxe5 37. Rxd8 33... Qb5 34. Nd4 Qb1+ 35. Kh2 Rc8 36. Nb3! The best mo ve that seems to secure an easy draw, but in the time trouble Peter starts making critical errors. 36... Nc5 37. Nxc5 Rxc5 38. Rxa6 Qb8+ 39. Kg1? Plating too safe and lackadaisical! 39.f4! weakens the g2 square, but it draws immediately. 39... Rb5 40. Ne3?? not so pleasant is.... 40. Qd6+ Qxd6 41. Rxd6 Rb1+ 42. Kh2 Rb2! and White loses the a2 Pawn .... However, it is a difficult position to defend, and Black is much better regardless. 40... Rb1+ Time control has passed and unfortunately for Leko, Black has a decisive advantage from the pin along the back rank! 41. Nd1 Qe5! This nice move clears up White's position. 41... Qc8? 42. Qd6+ Kg8 43. Rb6! and White escapes 42. Ra3 This doesn't manage to help save the piece. 42. Rd6 Ba4 43. Rd8+ Ke7 And Black wins 42... Qg5 43. Re3 Ba4 44. Kh2 Qf4+ 45. g3 Rxd1 46. Qd8+ Rxd8 0-1 [GM Boris Alterman and Jason Doss]