Morozevich – Aronian
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3 Bb7 5.Nc3 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.e3 g6 (White is slightly better. The most popular continuation is 8.Bb5+)
8.h4 (This is a lesser known but agressive line, typical Morozevich style.)
8…Bg7 9.h5 (They are still in book line.)
9…Nd7 10.Bd3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 e5 (Black is playing very agressively. This seems to be the most exciting game of the day. They both have very enterprising styles. I evaluate this as an equal position.)
12.Qc2 Qe7 13.Be4 Bxe4 14.Qxe4 0–0 15.hxg6 hxg6 = (Black has done well to equalize the game. Even though White has the h file open, not much can be done to take advantage of it.)
16.a4 (This move was made after a considerable amount of time.)
16…c5 17.Ba3 Rfe8 (I still evaluate this as equal.)
18.Rc1 (Black now has an interesting move in 18…Nf6.)
18…exd4 (White has to play 19.Qxe7 Rxe7 20.cxd4 = I still prefer 18…Nf6 keeping the game alive.)
19.Qxe7 Rxe7 20.cxd4 Re4 = 21.Kf1?! (I believe 21.dxc5 is stronger, 21… Nxc5 22.Bxc5 bxc5 23.Rh4 =)
22.Kf1 cxd4 =+ 22.exd4 Nf8 (Black is a tiny bit better but White should have no problem holding this.)
23.g3 Rd8 24.Rc7 Ree8 25.Rxa7 Ra8 (This game is heading to a draw as well.)
And draw it is 1/2
This was the most exciting game in round 1. Yawn.