1. d2d4  1... d7d5  2. c2c4  2... c7c6  3. g1f3  3... g8f6  4. e2e3 When I was a tournament player I loved playing this opening with both colors. It leads to the kind of long-term strategic battle that I've always enjoyed. That's exactly what we'll see in this game. 4... c8g4 Of course there are other options here. Against 4...e6, White usually tries to prove the advantages of not having the knight already developed on c3, although I have never quite understood what those advantages are. In any case, the Black players can hardly resist the temptation to develop the c8-bishop, something they cannot do most of the time in the normal lines of the Semi-Slav Defense. The other very popular option is 4...Bf5, and that was usually my choice back in the days when I played this variation. 5. h2h3  5... g4h5  6. d1b3 This move is far less popular than 6.Nc3. It's clear that Lei came well prepared. 6... d8b6  7. c4d5 For some reason this natural move is almost new here. Considering that Black has to play very carefully, I expect new battles soon in this position. 7... c6d5 This move is inaccurate and leads to an inferior position. It's necessary to exchange the queens first and then capture the d-pawn with the knight. 8. b3b6  8... a7b6  9. f1b5  9... f6d7 The first new move in the game. 10. b1c3 This is not a bad move, but White has interesting alternatives. 10... h5f3 It's good to eliminate this knight once and for all. 11. g2f3  11... e7e6 It is undeniable that White has the advantage in this endgame, with the bishop pair and better pawn structure. My impression is that Lei should have played more actively to increase the advantage. 12. c1d2  12... b8c6 