1.d4d52.Nf3Nf63.e3c54.c3e65.Bd3Nbd76.Nbd2Bd67.O-OO-O8.Re1...Wei Yi's oddball opening exploration continues (he beat Ju Wenjun with the
Dutch in the previous round), and this is excellent timing.8....Qc78...e5is the equalizing scheme for Black in the Colle, but Black is also in a
"must-win" situation and thus decides to drift into murkier waters.9.e4cxd410.cxd4dxe411.Nxe4b612.Bg5Nxe413.Rxe4Bb714.Rc1Qb815.Rh4±...A model game for fans of "system" openings like the Colle or London.
White has achieved e3-e4, the isolated d4-pawn is not under any pressure, the
c-rook controls one open file and the e-rook has already lifted to the
kingside on its half-open file. White is firing on cylinders.15....f516.Bc4Qe817.Qb3Kh8?17...Bxf318.Qxf3Qg619.Bf4Bxf420.Rxf4Kh821.Re1Rae822.Bb5Qf7allows White to continue to exert pressure on the weak e6-pawn
with23.Qb3but the d4-pawn will become a liability with so many trades of
minor pieces, and Black has reasonable chances of holding the endgame,
although it won't be easy to trade off the heavy pieces to get there.18.Re1...Now, White's pressure is too overwhelming.18....Be419.Bxe6Qg620.Bd2Nf621.Ng5f422.Rxh7+!Nxh723.Nxe4f324.g3...For only the cost of a redundant
rook short on squares, White has managed to keep three fantastic minor pieces
and halt any meaningful kingside attack from Black.24....Be725.d5...Now the
d-pawn is more strength than weakness!25....Rad826.Qa4a527.Qc6Bb428.Bxb4axb429.h4Ra830.Nd6...Talk about positional dominance! Black is totally
busted.30....Ra731.Qxb6Rxa232.Qc7Nf633.Nf7+Kh734.Ne5Qh635.Qc2+g636.Nxg6Rfa837.Ne5+Kg7?38.Qc7+1-0 White wins.1-0