1. d2d4  1... d7d5  2. c2c4  2... c7c6  3. g1f3  3... g8f6  4. e2e3 When I was a tournament player I loved playing this opening with both colors. It leads to the kind of long-term strategic battle that I've always enjoyed. That's exactly what we'll see in this game. 4... c8g4 Of course there are other options here. Against 4...e6, White usually tries to prove the advantages of not having the knight already developed on c3, although I have never quite understood what those advantages are. In any case, the Black players can hardly resist the temptation to develop the c8-bishop, something they cannot do most of the time in the normal lines of the Semi-Slav Defense. The other very popular option is 4...Bf5, and that was usually my choice back in the days when I played this variation. 5. h2h3  5... g4h5  6. d1b3 This move is far less popular than 6.Nc3. It's clear that Lei came well prepared. 6... d8b6  7. c4d5 For some reason this natural move is almost new here. Considering that Black has to play very carefully, I expect new battles soon in this position. 7... c6d5 This move is inaccurate and leads to an inferior position. It's necessary to exchange the queens first and then capture the d-pawn with the knight. 8. b3b6  8... a7b6  9. f1b5  9... f6d7 The first new move in the game. 10. b1c3 This is not a bad move, but White has interesting alternatives. 10... h5f3 It's good to eliminate this knight once and for all. 11. g2f3  11... e7e6 It is undeniable that White has the advantage in this endgame, with the bishop pair and better pawn structure. My impression is that Lei should have played more actively to increase the advantage. 12. c1d2  12... b8c6  13. e1e2  13... f8d6  14. a1c1  14... e8e7 For now, both players develop the pieces naturally. 15. c3a4  15... a8c8  16. e2d3 I definitely don't like this move, as I don't see how it helps White. 16... f7f5  17. h1g1  17... g7g6  18. f3f4  18... h8g8  19. c1c2  19... c8c7  20. c2c1 A strange move. There is nothing wrong with continuing the plan to double down on the column. 20... e7f7  21. d3e2  21... g8c8  22. f2f3  22... c6b8  23. c1c7  23... c8c7  24. d2c3  24... c7c8  25. e2d2  25... h7h6 Starting a plan with / Be7 followed by the pawn advance to g5. 26. b2b3  26... d6e7  27. a4b2  27... g6g5  28. b2d3  28... b8c6  29. g1c1 Yielding the g-file. White could start a queenside pawn advance with a4-b4-a5, while keeping the rook on a better square. 29... g5f4  30. d3f4  30... c8g8 Now Black not only equalizes but can even play for a win. 31. d2e2  31... e7a3  32. c1d1  32... a3d6  33. f4d3 It's dangerous to let the rook enter on g2. 33... g8g2  34. d3f2  34... d7f6  35. d1c1  35... f5f4 Now Black is winning. 36. c3d2  36... f4e3 