World Open 2006: Smirin - Varshavsky. A game that will live in infamy.

The chess world was rocked when allegations of cheating surfaced at the 2006 World Open. http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3280

This game triggered an investigation which eventually led to the expulsion of Varshavsky from the USCF.  We can only wonder what was going through Smirin's mind as this game progressed. I've taken my best guess in some of the annotations here.

With all the foregoing said, this game is a pretty good illustration of the Open Defense of the Ruy Lopez. 

and now for one final note, go and look here:

  http://www.chess.com/members/view/IlyaSmirin.

Nope.  Don't think that was the real Smirin.