1. e2e4  1... c7c5  2. a2a3 When qualified, why not try something original? This line  was heavily analyzed and popularized by the Russian GM Alexei Bezgodov,  who even wrote a book about it. 2... g7g6  3. f1c4  3... f8g7  4. h2h4  4... e7e6  5. b1c3  5... g8e7  6. h4h5 Already a novelty! 6... d7d5 A classical approach by a great classical player. 7. c4a2  7... d5d4  8. c3e2  8... d4d3 It is a good moment to generate central counterplay while the  opponent is pushing his side pawns. 9. c2d3  9... d8d3  10. g1f3 An  interesting pawn sacrifice. 10... b8c6 Which Gelfand correctly rejects. 11. a2b1  11... d3d6  12. d2d3  12... b7b6  13. c1f4 Forcing Black to block his dark-squared  bishop. 13... e6e5 But now Gelfand gets better control over the d4-spot. 14. f4e3  14... c8g4 Original or not, the opening led to a familiar pawn structure from  the Reversed Najdorf. There are certainly differences. White has his  bishop maneuvered close to the open a2-g8 diagonal which is good for him.  However, a major issue is his h-pawn, which makes his kingside castling  risky. 15. h5h6  15... g7f6  16. b1a2  16... a8d8 Gelfand's play is logical and effective. 17. e2c3  17... e8g8  18. a2c4  18... c6d4  19. e3d4 After the trade of this key bishop, it  is only Black who can be happy. 19... c5d4  20. c3d5  20... e7d5  21. c4d5  21... f6g5 The bishops are tearing White's position  apart. Notice that Nepomniachtchi still cannot castle. 22. d1a4  22... g4f3  23. g2f3  23... d6f6 The opposite-colored bishop middlegame with the insecure  white king is obviously much, much better for Black. 24. h1h3  24... d8d5 A strong sacrifice that exposes the white king at once. 25. e4d5  25... f6f5  26. h3g3  26... g5f4 Gelfand follows his forcing like. 27. g3g4  27... f5d3  28. g4f4  28... e5f4 Nepomniachtchi is lucky that his queen  controls the e8-square, otherwise he could have resigned at once. 29. a1d1  29... d3f3  30. a4d4 Since Black needs to get rid of the annoying h6-pawn, White gains enough time to safeguard his king and even advance the passer. 30... f3h1  31. e1d2  31... h1h6  32. d5d6  32... f8d8  33. d4f6  33... h6f8  34. d2c2  34... f8e8  35. c2b1  35... d8d7  36. b1a1  36... e8e6  37. f6f4  37... g8g7 Black consolidated his advantage, but there is  still plenty of work to be done. The annoying d6-passer keeps the black  major pieces busy, whereas the obvious plan of a kingside expansion will  lead to the weakening of his own king which is extremely dangerous with  the major pieces on the board. 38. f4d2  38... h7h5  39. d2c3  39... g7h7  40. c3d4  40... e6g4 The  lack of time prevents Gelfand from finding the most convincing plan. 41. f2f4  41... g4e6  42. a3a4 Nepomniachtchi senses the danger and opens more room for his king. 42... h7g8  43. d1d3  43... e6e1  44. a1a2  44... e1e6  45. a2a1  45... g8h7  46. b2b3  46... f7f6 Finally the pawns start to roll. 47. a1a2  47... h7g7  48. d3d2  48... g7f7  49. d4c3  49... h5h4  50. c3c6 The correct idea, the wrong execution. 50... f7g7 Out of the danger zone! 51. f4f5  51... e6f5  52. d2e2  52... g7h6  53. e2e7  53... d7d8  54. c6c1  54... g6g5 Black is winning again but precision is required till the very end. 55. c1d2  55... h4h3  56. d6d7 