context: 1. f2f3 A strange first move, since it looks passive and the pawn takes away a square from the knight. Advancing the f-pawn two squares seems to be better—this was played by Gukesh in his game against Nakamura. In all other games 1.e4 was tried. 1... f7f5 Black takes the chance to gain some space and create a pawn formation that allows for freer development. 2. d2d4  2... d7d6  3. e1d3  3... e8f6  4. h1g3  4... h8g6 Only four moves have been played and White's position is already difficult, something that can only happen at this level in a freestyle game. Carlsen has problems finishing his development: If e2-e4 is played, then he loses castling rights after the pawn exchange and a check on g4 (although he will allow this later). I thought of 5.Qf2 to castle on the kingside, but then the plan of a6 or a5 followed by Ba7 is unpleasant. Another plan is to develop the bishop to a2 (Carlsen's attempt) or c2 (with 5.c3). 5. a2a4  5... a7a5  6. e2e4 A very risky move. 6... f5e4  7. f3e4  7... b8a7  8. h2h3 Preventing any Ng4 tactics when the bishop goes to e3. 8... e7e5 This simplifies the game, but it helps White to equalize. 9. c1e3  9... e5d4  10. e3d4  10... a7d4  11. g1d4  11... c8e6  12. d1f1  12... f6d7 Controlling the e5-square. White needs to be careful now not to put himself at a positional disadvantage. 13. g3f5 There are simpler moves. 13... g6e5  14. d3f4 This puts White under a lot of pressure. 14... e6c4  15. f1f2  15... g7g6  16. f5e3  16... g6g5  17. f4d5  17... f8f2  18. g1f2  18... c4d5  19. e4d5  19... d7c5 An excellent move, improving the knight while preventing White from moving the c-pawn. 20. a1a3 An ugly move, but what to do $2 20... g8g6 Again preventing the c-pawn from moving. 21. d4d1 A desperate attempt to push the c-pawn and finish development, but it's too late now. 21... g6e4 Sindarov is an aggressive player and an excellent tactician, and he conducts the remainder of the game in splendid form. 22. c2c4  22... e4f4  23. f2g1  23... d8a8  24. b1h7 White at least gets a pawn for the suffering. That's a cheap price for such a good position for Black. 24... c8b8 It's nearly always a decent option to play Kb8 after castling. 25. a3c3  25... d8e8  26. h7c2  26... e5d3 The position is ready for a winning tactical sequence. 27. c2d3  27... f4e3  28. g1h2  28... e3f4  29. h2h1  29... f4f2  30. c3c1  30... g5g4 The final touch to this beautiful game. White's king is left without protection—perhaps it would have been better not to have captured that pawn on h7 $2 31. d1f1  31... c5d3  32. f1d3  32... g4h3 