IM Mashafizul Played 1.d4 in SIO 2008!!!!

Round 5: IM Mashafizul (right) vs GM Darryl Johansen (left)

IM Mashafzul played 1. d4 in his 5th round draw against Aussie n0. 3 GM Darryl Johansen (2475). This is the first time I ever see Mas played 1.d4 in a serious tournament .He had almost as white played 1.e4 or in few occasion playing 1. Nf3 followed by g3 and Bg2 but never a Queen Pawn game!

Below are the game.

IM Mas Hafizul (2382)- GM Darryl Johansen (2475) [D02]
Sydney International Open (5.3), 27.03.2008

1.d4 The first shock! If I’m not mistaken, Mas never play other then 1. e4 accept 1. Nf3 with later g3 and Bg2 set up. 1... d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 Mas could still play 3.g3 which is more like a set up that he have played before although it is without the early d4. 3.Bf4 The London System. It just shows that Mas really intent to play the Queen Pawn Game- an opening that i have never seen Mas play it before! 3...c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Qb3 Nc6 6.Qxb6 axb6 7.Bc7 Nd7 8.Na3 f6 9.Nb5 e6 10.g3 Kf7 11.h4 Na7 12.e3 c4 13.Nd6+ Bxd6 14.Bxd6 Nc6 15.e4 b5 16.Nd2 Ra6 17.Bc7 f5 18.f3 Nf6 19.exf5 exf5 20.b3 Be6 21.a4 b4 22.cxb4 Nxb4 23.Rc1 Rc6 24.Ba5 cxb3 25.Nxb3 Rxc1+ 26.Nxc1 Nc2+ 27.Kf2 Nxd4 28.Bb6 Rc8 29.Bd3 Nc6 30.Ne2 Nd7 31.Be3 Nde5 32.Bb5 Nc4 33.Bf4 Na7 34.Nd4 Nxb5 35.axb5 Ra8 36.Re1 Bd7 37.Bg5 Re8 38.Ra1 Ne5 39.Ra3 Bc8 40.Bf4 Nc4 41.Ra7 h6 42.Ra2 Kf6 43.Re2 Rxe2+ 44.Kxe2 g5 45.hxg5+ hxg5 46.Bc7 Bd7 47.b6 Ne5 48.Bd8+ Kg6 49.Bc7 Kf6 ½–½