1. g4 d5 2. Bg2

If Black plays 2...Bxg4 White will play 3.c4 to be followed with Qb3 with pressure on the b7 and d5 pawns. White will, at the least, regain his pawn.

2... Nc6 3. h3 e6 4. c4 Nf6 5. b3 Be7 6. Bb2 O-O 7. e3 b6 8. d4 Bb7 9. Nd2 Nb4 10. Qb1 c5 11. a3 Nc6 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Ne2 Be7 14. Nf4 h6 15. Rg1 Rb8 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. cxd5 exd5 18. Bxd5

Michael admitted that there was an element of bluff in the exchange sacrifice.

18... Ne7

18...Bxa1 19.Qxa1 Nb4 (threatening Nc2+) 20.axb4 Bxd5 takes the sting out of White's threatened g5.

19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20. Ra2 Rd7 21. Rc2 Re8 22. Ke2 Be5 23. Nh5 Nd5 24. Ne4 Bh2 25. Rgc1 Qe7 26. Rc8 Be5 27. Rxe8+ Qxe8 28. Rc4 Rc7 29. Rxc7 Bxc7 30. Qd3 Qxe4

Forced. If Black defends the knight with e.g. Qe6 then 31.Qxd5 Qxd5 32.Nf6+ forces a won ending for white.

31. Qxe4 Nc3+ 32. Kf3 Nxe4 33. Kxe4 Bd6 34. a4 Kf8 35. Kd5 Bc5 36. Ng3 Bb4 37. Nf5 Be1 38. f3 Bd2 39. e4 g6 40. Nd6

White's pawns are all safe from the Black bishop, while Black's queenside pawns are at the mercy of white's king and knight.

1-0