1. e2e4  1... e7e6  2. d2d4  2... d7d5 The French is a rare guest at top events now except for rapid and blitz events, but playing it against a Frenchman himself  demonstrates courage! 3. e4e5  3... c7c5  4. c2c3  4... b8c6  5. g1f3  5... d8b6  6. a2a3  6... c5c4 This leads  to a blocked position where both sides strive to play on the kingside:  White, because his pawn structure is better orientated for that, and  Black, because the enemy king will castle there. 7. b1d2  7... c6a5  8. g2g3  8... c8d7  9. h2h4  9... e8c8  10. f1h3  10... c8b8  11. e1g1  11... h7h6  12. f1e1  12... g8e7  13. a1b1  13... e7c8  14. d2f1 With their next moves, both  sides prepare carefully the inevitable clash on the kingside. 14... b6c7  15. h4h5  15... c8b6  16. c1e3  16... d7a4  17. d1e2  17... f8e7  18. f3h2  18... c7d7  19. f2f4  19... g7g6 Blocking f4-f5 advance and preparing an opening of a file for  the rooks. 20. e3f2  20... d8g8  21. f1e3 