A blunder.
1. g1f3  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... b7b6 Definitely a move that can be expected by an English  player. After all this proud country had invented the English defense. 3. g2g3  3... c8b7  4. f1g2  4... g7g6  5. d2d4  5... f8g7  6. e1g1  6... e7e6  7. c1f4  7... d7d6  8. d1c2  8... e8g8  9. b1c3  9... b8c6  10. a1d1  10... d8e7  11. f1e1  11... c6d4 Trading  two pairs of light pieces and introducing a novelty at the same time. 12. f3d4  12... b7g2  13. g1g2  13... e6e5  14. f4e3  14... e5d4  15. e3d4  15... c7c6 White is a bit better thanks to his superior  pawn structure. The pawn on d6 is backward an weak, but as Nimtowitsch  proved in the past such positions are defendable. 16. c2d3  16... f8e8  17. d3f3  17... a8c8  18. e2e4  18... f6d7  19. b2b3  19... d7c5  20. h2h4 With a stronger center Wei  seeks kingside attack. 20... h7h5 Not the most accurate decision by  Howell. 21. f3e3  21... c8d8 For a moment the rook leaves the c-file and that leads to  further problems. 22. d4g7  22... g8g7  23. b3b4 Wei finds a way to secure an awesome outpost for  his knight. 23... c5d7  24. b4b5  24... d8c8  25. b5c6  25... c8c6  26. c3d5  26... e7e6  27. e3c3 White grew his advantage further. The  pawn on d6 is a clear target, but the queenside pawns might be endangered  too. 27... f7f6  28. c3a3 Forcing Black to open more holes into his  position. 28... a7a5  29. d1d4  29... d7e5  30. a3b3  30... e8c8  31. e1c1  31... e5d7  32. b3b5  32... c6c5  33. b5a6  33... e6f7  34. d5f4 This worked well in the game.