1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... g8f6  4. e1g1  4... f6e4  5. d2d4  5... e4d6  6. b5c6  6... d7c6  7. d4e5  7... d6f5  8. d1d8  8... e8d8 As a somewhat experienced player, I remember that, when I was young, I witnessed the rise of the Berlin Defense, which I could never have imagined would become what it has become today. First I saw the Hungarian GM Zoltan Almasi popularize it, and I even faced him in this line. I also saw Kramnik use it as the weapon that neutralized Kasparov, who simply could not imagine that this defense was correct. In those times, entering the endgame was automatic and considered the natural attempt at refutation. This position, to me, never seemed easy to play for Black, but eventually White gave up and looked for other ways. From time to time, however, some strong GM is still able to break the solidity of the Berlin endgame. 9. h2h3  9... f8e7  10. b1c3 There are so many possible plans for both sides in this endgame that it doesn't make much sense to mention them all. I'm going straight to the first moment that caught my attention. 10... f5h4  11. f3h4  11... e7h4  12. c1e3  12... h7h5  13. c3e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is the first of several subtle moves Volokitin played in this beautiful game, which the reader should pay close attention to. Although we're not yet talking about a theoretical novelty, this move is anything but obvious, and the Ukrainian GM thought for a long time before executing it. Alternatives include: 13... d8e8  14. f2f3 [%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is the theoretical novelty. It's probably not a big deal; certainly the computer will show equality for Black. But what matters in chess is to create practical problems for the opponent. White wants to play the g2-pawn to g4, gaining space on the kingside. After all, the Berlin's biggest problem is that White gains a pawn majority on that side of the board. 14... h4e7 [%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Niemann plays according to the traditional plan, moving the bishop back to then push the f-pawn. However, here it is dubious. 15. g2g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White manages to carry out his plan. 15... f7f5 [%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 16. e5f6  16... g7f6  17. e2f4  17... h5g4  18. f3g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] For this reason it was better for Black to have captured on g4 earlier, when White was still forced to recapture with the h-pawn. 18... f6f5 [%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move opens the game to White's rooks, which is fatal to the black king, it being trapped in the middle of the board—let's not forget that Black can no longer castle. 19. a1e1  19... e8f7 The only move. 20. e3d4  20... h8d8 [%cal de1e7][%c_arrow e1e7;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false] 21. e1e7 This move seemed completely brilliant to me when I first saw the game. The computer, unfortunately, is not so impressed. Objectively I should put a  $6 or even  $2 for this exchange sacrifice, but I refuse to do it. The idea is too beautiful to deserve punishment by this commentator for \"simply\" being incorrect from a scientific point of view. 21... f7e7  22. d4c5  22... e7f7  23. g4g5 Volokitin prepares the advance of the g- and h-pawns. His positional compensation for the exchange is considerable and Black needs to play with great precision. 23... d8g8 [%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] 24. h3h4  24... c8e6  25. g1f2 [%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White prepares the simple Rg1 followed by h5. There's no longer any salvation for Black.