And it has become clear that it is now Black who has to be careful to maintain the balance.
1. e2e4  1... c7c5  2. g1f3  2... e7e6  3. d2d4  3... c5d4  4. f3d4  4... b8c6  5. b1c3  5... g8f6 An opening surprise by Harika. Her main Sicilian weapon is the Sveshnikov. 6. d4c6  6... b7c6  7. e4e5  7... f6d5  8. c3e4  8... c8b7  9. f1e2  9... c6c5  10. e1g1  10... d8c7  11. c2c4  11... d5e3  12. e4d6 \"I did not remember anything in the opening, and I decided to play it safe\" (Kosteniuk). 12... f8d6 The forcing line quickly leads to an opposite-colored bishop endgame. 13. e5d6  13... c7c6  14. e2f3  14... e3d1  15. f3c6  15... b7c6  16. f1d1  16... e8g8  17. c1e3  17... f8c8  18. d1d2 [%mdl 8][%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An over-the-board novelty. White is protecting her b2-pawn in advance. 18... c6b7 Not an essential move. 19. a1c1  19... a7a5 The opening was a success for Harika. Both sides have weaknesses, but the white d6-pawn is closer to the enemy pieces, thus more vulnerable. Black's plan is obvious and pleasant: centralize the king first and see later. 20. c1c3  20... a5a4  21. c3a3  21... f7f6  22. f2f3  22... g8f7  23. g1f2  23... e6e5 This one, however, seems inaccurate. 24. f3f4 [%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Or else Black would go for g7-g5 and expand further on the kigside. 24... f7e6 His majesty has arrived at his final destination, but the few riots that take place in the city make his residence less comfortable. 25. g2g4  25... g7g6  26. f4e5  26... f6e5  27. e3h6 [%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very nice idea $1 Not only does Kosteniuk take the f-file under control, but she is also already thinking about future mating nets. 27... c8c6  28. a3d3  28... c6b6  29. f2e1 [%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the intention to use the f-file for mating purposes. 29... b6b4 Harika needs to keep the annoying rooks busy. 30. d3c3  30... b4b6 It is not obvious if Black wanted to force the draw or wanted to accumulate some time on her clock. 31. c3e3 [%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] \"I dare to play on\" (Kosteniuk). 31... e5e4 \"I am pretty safe after this; I am not in danger to lose the d6-pawn\" (Kosteniuk). 32. e3h3  32... b7a6  33. h3e3  33... a6b7  34. e3h3  34... b7a6  35. b2b3 Another forcing line now follows. 35... a4b3  36. a2b3  36... b6d6  37. d2d6  37... e6d6  38. h6f4  38... d6c6 