1.d4d52.c4c63.Nf3Nf64.Nc3e65.e3Nbd76.Qc2Bd67.Bd3O-O8.O-Odxc49.Bxc4a610.Rd1b511.Bd3Qc712.Bd2Bb7⩲My source for all things Semi-Slav is Alexey Dreev,
and his 2011 book on the Meran and Anti-Meran Variations (published by Chess
Stars) recommends 12...c5. The text move allows White more of an advantage
than he would have after the c5 break:12...c5!?13.Bxb5(13.dxc5Qxc5and neither player has much to build an advantage upon.)(13.Ne4c414.Nxd6Qxd615.Be2Bb7may be White's best try, but I still like Black's
chances.)axb514.Nxb5Qc615.Nxd6Qxd616.dxc5Qxc517.Qxc5Nxc518.Bb4Nfe419.Rac1Rxa220.Bxc5Nxc521.Rxc5Rxb2Black should have
little difficulty holding this ending.13.Rac1?!...Here White misses an
opportunity to shut down the c5 break for good:13.b4!e5(13...Bxb4?14.Nxb5!±wins)14.Ne4Nxe415.Bxe4g616.Rac1⩲13....c5This position is dead even, and if I were Black here, I would play to
strengthen my position so that White can't play for more without taking risks.
Black has nullified White's opening advantage, but White still has a lead in
development, and his pieces are well coordinated. Unless the tournament
situation requires more, Black should be satisfied with a draw from this
position against a player of Gary Adams' calibre. Given that this was the
Finals, playing for more is understandable.14.dxc5Nxc5?!An indication
that Black is indeed playing for more than a draw. Again, if I were Black, I
would play to simplify rather than complicate:14...Qxc515.Ne4(15.b4?!Qh5(15...Qxb4?16.Nxb5!+−wins in a manner much like the line after
White's 13th move.)16.Ne4Rac8⩱)Qxc216.Nxf6+Nxf617.Rxc2Rfc815.Bxb5axb5The in-between check doesn't upset the balance any more
than the text move:15...Bxh2+16.Nxh2axb517.Nxb5Qc618.Nf3Qxb519.Nd4Qb620.Qxc5Qxc521.Rxc5Rxa222.Rb5Ba623.Ra5Rxa524.Bxa5Nd5While there is more play left in this position, without significant mistakes,
the game is likely to end in a draw.16.Nxb5Be4?This is the culprit,
and White makes the most of this opportunity. Black can maintain equality if
he plays with that intent:16...Bxh2+17.Nxh2Qc618.Nf3Qxb519.Nd4Qb620.Qxc5Qxc521.Rxc5Rxa222.Rb5Ba623.Ra5Rxa524.Bxa5Nd5with
the same position as in the line after Black's 15th move. There is no more
equality after the text.17.Nxc7Bxc218.Rxc2Bxc719.Rxc5Bd620.Ra5Ne421.Be1Rxa522.Bxa5Ra823.b4?!...Here I prefer seeking the trade of
Black's well-placed knight:23.Ng5Be724.Nxe4Rxa525.a3+−However
the text wins just as well.23....Be724.Ne5Nc325.Rd7Bf626.Nc4g627.a3Kf828.Rb7Be729.g3Nd530.b5Bxa331.e4Nf632.Rc7Ne833.Rc6Be734.b6Rb835.e5g536.Nd61-0 White wins.1-0