Now White gains an edge thanks to a clever idea.
1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... a7a6  4. b5a4  4... g8f6  5. e1g1  5... f6e4  6. d2d4  6... b7b5  7. a4b3  7... d7d5 The Open Ruy Lopez has been the favorite weapon of Korchnoi and Mamedyarov, but many other top players have also given it a try lately. 8. d4e5  8... c8e6  9. b1d2  9... f8e7  10. c2c3  10... e8g8  11. b3c2  11... f7f5  12. d2b3  12... d8d7  13. f3d4 This can be named the key square in the Open Ruy Lopez. 13... c6d4  14. b3d4  14... c7c5  15. d4e6  15... d7e6 If the black knight could only replace the queen in the blockade of the e5-pawn, all would be perfect for the second player. 16. f2f3  16... e4g5  17. c1f4 For the time being, Kosteniuk does not want to reveal her cards. 17... a8d8  18. g1h1 An useful move. His majesty moves away from possible attacks along the a7-g1 diagonal. 18... e6c8 Khotenashvili played this novelty after a heavy thought. 19. f4g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight cannot be allowed access to the super-blockading square. 19... e7g5  20. f3f4  20... g5e7  21. a2a4 [%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] One of the most typical Ruy Lopez ideas. The white rook enters the battle from its original position.