Backward Development: Notes from my analysis:
8.h3!?<an unusual move order that prevents 8...Bg4 but allows 8...Na5!? with an unclear position>13...Nb7!?<Another unusual move order. More common is 13...c4 with ...Nb7 to follow.>
14.Nf1<returns to main lines, but the advance 14.a4!? gives black awkward problems 14...Bd7<14...b4?! 15.c4 locks up the QS, and White's superiority on the KS will be telling.>15.c4! Re8<of course, there are several alternatives>16.Bd3!?<allows black to release the tension, but it is not clear whether that is advantageous>16...bxa4 17.Bc2 a3 18.Rxa3~ and the potential a-file pressure is compensated by White's weak b-pawn.>
15...Nc5<logical and consistent, but theory recommends 15...h5!? Now here, 16.N3h2<16.gh Bxh3 17.N3h2 Qc8 18.Ne3<18.Qf3!?-Golod>18...Nc5 19.Qf3 Kh7 20.Kh1 Rh8 21.Rg1 Kg8=Arutunian-Golod, Pardubice 2002> hg 17.Nxg4 Bxg4 18.hxg4 Nh7 19.Re3 Bg5 20.Rh3 Bxc1 21.Qxc1 Qe7 22.Ng3 Qg5=Bakre-Vladimirov, Calcutta 2001>
16...g6?!<A case of the cure being more harmful than the disease. This slow move critically weakens the dark squares on that side of the board. Karpov typically exploits such errors mercilessly.>
17.Kg2!<A typical Karpov stroke; A non-routine move with a concrete goal in mind based on the needs of the position. He directly preparares the stab g4-g5 which will spread gloom all over the Black KS. Even in his very young age, Anatoly showed enormous understanding. Although Black has no answer to this threat, he does have resources to begin a diversion on the Queenside shortly.>
17...Ne8<It's difficult to recommend a good square for the Kt; I would have considered 17...Kh8!? 18.g5 Ng8. The idea is to retreat the Bishop to f8 and play ...Ne7. It's not clear that the Kt is best placed here, but it at least has the possibility of hopping via c8 to b6, once the other bishop moves. What is clear is that on e8 and subsequently g7 fulfills no useful purpose at all.
18.g5 <Despite how highly Fritz 8 rates Black's position(-.25)<it is most likely that its evaluation is based soley by the advanced c-pawn and the Nc5>, I would venture to evaluate the position as 
>
19...b4?!<asking far too much out of the position. Just compare the respective minor pieces for each side. Black is most certainly NOT prepared for this advance. The disruptive 19...f6 is indicated, and after 20.Qd2 fg 21.Nxg5 Ng7 the dangerous 22.f4!? ef 23.Bxf4 Bf6 leads to an unclear game.>
21.Bxc5!?<White knocks off Black's best piece and leaves him with bishops forced into passive positions, but it is not clear that any permanent advantage can be achieved.>
22...Rdb8<22...f6! is stronger, and casts doubt on White's 21st move. After the exchange of several pawns, Black's bishops will obtain enough activity for equality.>
23...Bc8?!<The bishop is better placed on a6 and this loses a tempo. 23...Nc7!? activating the Kt deserved consideration; Black fights for the initiative and White must play accurately.>
29...Ra3??<Black makes an immediately fatal oversight.>
30.Qxa3!<Now White's rooks come into play with decisive effect.>
Kibitzing
