1. d2d4  1... d7d5  2. c2c4  2... c7c6  3. g1f3  3... g8f6  4. b1c3  4... a7a6 The Chebanenko Slav has been  Malakhov's bread and butter for many years now and its occurrence was  definitely not a surprise for White. Or, as Dubov put it, it was as  surprising as \"rain in England.\" 5. g2g3 A relatively rare line. White  is trying to get his opponent away from his comfort zone and play  positions typical for the Catalan or the Neo-Grunfeld. 5... d5c4  6. f1g2  6... g7g6 Neo-Grunfeld it is. 7. e1g1  7... f8g7  8. e2e4  8... e8g8  9. d1e2  9... b7b5  10. a2a4 A direct approach. 10... b5b4 To which Malakhov reacts with a very solid novelty. 11. c3d1  11... a6a5 The c4-pawn is defended tactically. 12. f1e1  12... c8a6  13. e4e5  13... f6d5  14. e5e6 White badly wanted to play this. 14... f7f5  15. f3e5 This is what White wanted to do when advancing the  pawn on e6, install the knight on f7, push the h-pawn and mate. However,  he underestimated Black's next maneuver. 15... f8f6 A strong maneuver that demolishes White's edge. 16. e5f7  16... d8c8  17. d1e3 The most \"controlled\" move, according to the young  Russian. 17... f6e6  18. f7g5  18... c4c3 Most likely the primary reason for Malakhov's  defeat. The opening of the queenside works well again for the first player as his rooks are more mobile. 19. e2c2  19... e6e3  20. c1e3  20... c3b2  21. c2b2  21... b8d7 