1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. g1f3  3... d7d5  4. g2g3  4... f8b4 One of the plausible ways to meet the Catalan. There is a very long list of strong GMs who have it in their repertoires. 5. b1d2 This move is a favorite of Dubov. White sacrifices a pawn in return for a strong center. 5... d5c4  6. f1g2  6... b7b5  7. a2a3  7... b4e7  8. f3e5  8... f6d5  9. a3a4 But this might not be the most accurate. 9... c7c6  10. e1g1  10... a7a5 Alekseenko keeps his king in the center for the time being. 11. e2e4  11... d5f6 The knight is destined to defend the kingside. 12. e5g4 Until traded. 12... f6g4  13. d1g4  13... h7h5 This is what Alekseenko was waiting for! 14. g4e2  14... e6e5 Instead of taking a pawn, Black offers one! 15. d4e5 After a lengthy thought, Tabatabaei decided that he can open files like that too. 15... b8a6  16. e5e6 But White does not want to keep the pawn at all, he needs the open files! 16... c8e6  17. e4e5 Still, Tabatabaei underestimated Black's next move. 17... a6b4 A powerful exchange sacrifice! 18. a4b5  18... c6b5  19. d2e4 Initiative and only initiative! 19... a8a6  20. e4d6 Once again sacrificing a pawn! 20... e7d6  21. e5d6  21... b4d3 The pawn on d6 will go nowhere, therefore Alekseenko uses the time to build a blockade. 22. c1d2  22... h5h4 Alekseenko also thinks only about the initiative. 23. d2c3  23... h4g3  24. h2g3  24... d8d6  25. c3g7  25... h8g8  26. g7c3 Now that both kings are under fire the question is who will be more creative in the attack. 26... e8f8 The king steps out of the pin. 27. e2h5 Tabatabaei does not miss the chance to activate the queen. 27... b5b4  28. c3d2  28... e6g4 