[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]
1. c2c4  1... e7e5  2. b1c3  2... g8f6  3. g1f3  3... b8c6  4. d2d3 [%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting choice by Giri, leading to a position without much forced theory, a Sicilian Defense with inverted colors. 4... d7d5  5. c4d5  5... f6d5 I always find it difficult to understand well known opening positions with the colors inverted. If I had this position with Black a tempo up, I'd be feeling very comfortable. But looking at White's position, the chances of an advantage don't seem promising to me. It's probably all a matter of perspective and expectation. 6. g2g3 White has other possible and typically Sicilian moves, but developing the bishop on the long diagonal seems the most natural to me. 6... d5f6 Maybe too subtle. 7. c1g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I'm generally not a big fan of exchanging a bishop for a knight, but here there's great positional justification, since the white bishop doesn't have such a clear destiny and, after the exchange, the white knights can be annoying, especially after the Nd2-c4 maneuver. 7... f8e7  8. f1g2  8... e8g8  9. e1g1  9... h7h6  10. g5f6  10... e7f6 Now Giri decides to push the b-pawn. I think that 11.Nd2 is a better attempt for an advantage. 11. a1b1  11... a7a5 A useful move to open the a-file after White plays b4. 12. a2a3  12... c6d4  13. e2e3  13... d4f3  14. g2f3  14... c7c6  15. d1c2  15... c8f5 The computer claims the position is fully equal, but what can I say  $2 The computer is a machine. For us mere mortals, the game seems more comfortable for White, with the clear plan of a pawn majority on the queenside. 16. f1d1  16... d8d7  17. c3a4  17... d7c7  18. b2b4  18... a5b4  19. a3b4  19... f8d8 It seems to me that Gukesh incorrectly assessed the dangers of the endgame that follows. Perhaps it would be simpler to place the rook on c8, reducing the impact of the b4-b5 advance. 20. b4b5 [%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 20... d8d3  21. d1d3  21... f5d3  22. c2d3  22... a8a4  23. b5c6  23... b7c6  24. f3c6 White keeps pressing and has the kind of position he wanted, but I'm still surprised that Giri could win this position against a chess player of Gukesh's level. 24... a4a7  25. c6d5 