comment: With the f7-pawn firmly protected, Black has nothing to fear. It now becomes clear how good the move 29...Rf8 was.
context: 1. g1f3  1... d7d5  2. e2e3  2... g8f6  3. c2c4  3... e7e6  4. b2b3  4... f8d6  5. c1b2  5... c7c5  6. c4d5  6... e6d5  7. f1e2  7... e8g8  8. e1g1  8... b7b6  9. d2d4  9... c8b7 [%cal dc8b7][%c_arrow c8b7;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;b7;persistent;false] A calm opening leads to a typical queen's pawn position, promising a slow, maneuvering game. 10. b1d2 [%c_highlight d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false] Where should the knight go, to d2 or c3 $2 This is a frequent question in positions with this type of structure, and it's not so easy to answer. The c3-square looks a little more natural to me, but the idea of putting ​​the knight on d2 is that after Ne5 it can go to f3, reinforcing the central position. My friend and mentor, Brazilian GM Jaime Sunye, liked to say that if one knight goes to c3, the other should go to d7, and if one goes to d2, the other goes to c6. I have always found this suggestion curious and have remembered it during several games, although I'm not 100\% sure of its validity. 10... f8e8 A new move. 11. f3e5 This is not the most accurate move since it allows Black to change the pawn structure conveniently. 11... c5d4 [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Aronian takes the opportunity to capture on d4 while White is forced to recapture with a pawn, changing the structure to a static center. 11...Nc6 and 11...Nbd7 are also more or less equal, but the move played is safer. 12. e3d4  12... b8d7  13. d2f3  13... a8c8 With the pieces well-developed and the center closed, Black has managed to equalize the game. 14. a1c1  14... c8c1  15. d1c1  15... a7a6 [%c_arrow e2b5;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false][%c_highlight b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false] Useful to prevent the white bishop from going to b5 in some lines. 16. c1g5 The queen clears the way for the rook to occupy the c-file, but as the game continues, it will be poorly-placed on the kingside. 16... d7f8 The knight will feel comfortable on e6. 17. f1c1  17... f8e6  18. g5h4  18... d8e7 [%c_arrow d6a3;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;a3;persistent;false] Preparing to exchange bishops with Ba3. 19. c1c2  19... d6a3  20. b2a3  20... e7a3  21. e5g4  21... f6e4  22. g4e3 [%c_arrow e3f5;keyPressed;none;from;e3;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false] Good maneuvering from both sides. The knight can go to f5 now, trying to create threats around the black king. 22... a3b4 Maybe it was better to go with the queen to f8 straight away. 23. e3f5  23... b4f8 The queen comes back to protect the king. 24. e2f1 [%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A harmless move. 24... g7g6 [%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 25. f5h6 [%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 25... g8g7  26. h6g4  26... h7h5 [%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 27. g4e3  27... f8b4 [%c_highlight d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false,h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false] Suddenly, White has a bad position. There's no proper way to defend the d4-pawn, and the queen on h4 is out of play. 28. g2g4 Giri tries to create some tactical chances. 28... e8h8 [%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 29. g4g5 White has to close the kingside, giving Black a free pass to reinforce his position. 29... h8f8 [%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Interesting;persistent;true][%c_highlight f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false] This is a difficult move—Aronian is known for his subtle positional understanding. The d4-pawn is doomed, so Aronian protects the weakness on f7 before capturing it. 30. f1h3 It's hard to recommend anything for White. 30... e6d4  31. f3d4  31... b4d4  32. c2c7  32... d4a1  33. e3f1 