[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move to create counterplay.
1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c1f4  2... d7d5  3. e2e3 The London System has become a regular at elite tournaments, showing that a reputation can change over the years, despite some players perpetually turning their noses up at it. 3... c7c5  4. g1f3  4... e7e6  5. b1d2  5... d8b6 There are many ways to fight against White's opening, and this one seems pretty good. 6. a1b1 For some reason, nobody dares to sacrifice the b2-pawn here. 6... c5d4  7. e3d4  7... c8d7 [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A plan that is also seen frequently in the French Defense and sometimes in the Caro-Kann Defense: Black prepares to exchange the light-squared bishop, despite losing some time in the development of the kingside. White has no way to exploit the slow plan, as his pieces are not so aggressively placed. 8. c2c3  8... d7b5  9. h2h4 [%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is modern chess: London System, the rook goes to b1, the bishops are exchanged, the king goes to f1, and the rook goes to h3. The younger generation might call me grumpy, but I still see more beauty in the conventional play of fighting for the center in an open game and playing for the initiative. This move was played recently by Iranian GM Tabatabaei, one of the modern kings of unconventional play. 9... b8d7  10. h1h3 A new move. It's not a pretty one, but it's not that bad either. 10... f8e7  11. h4h5  11... h7h6  12. a2a4  12... b5f1  13. e1f1  13... e8g8 A somewhat innocuous opening on White's part, but maybe the blitz games that Firouzja played before the round gave him hope to create a mating attack. It turns out he was not so wrong. 14. f1g1  14... b6c6  15. f3e5 [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] 15... d7e5  16. d4e5  16... f6d7  17. h3g3  17... g8h8  18. a4a5  18... c6c7 Black threatens two pawns, but White has enough activity to maintain equality. 19. d2f3  19... c7a5  20. c3c4 Firouzja, always an optimist, keeps pushing for a win. 20... f8g8 Good prophylaxis, securing the pawn on g7. 21. b1a1 [%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White's position becomes dangerous now. 21... a5b4 [%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's no longer possible to capture on d5, since the bishop is hanging on f4. 22. b2b3  22... d7c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn is attacked, and the knight can also go to e4. 23. f3d4  23... c5e4  24. g3e3  24... b4c5 A good move, protecting d5 to be able to capture with the queen. 25. a1c1  25... g8d8 