1. b2b3 The Larsen Variation shows up from time to time in elite games, although only in tournaments with rapid time controls. It seems they don't consider this starting move reliable enough for a classical game. 1... d7d5  2. c1b2  2... c7c5  3. e2e3  3... a7a6 [%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is meant to avoid the pin on the c6-knight. 4. g1f3  4... b8c6  5. d2d4  5... g8f6  6. d4c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Taking the c5-pawn in these positions is always a difficult move for me, even more so when the plan is to play a3-b4, moving the b-pawn once more. But the world champion knows what he's doing. 6... e7e6  7. a2a3  7... f8c5  8. b3b4  8... c5a7  9. b1d2  9... e8g8  10. c2c4  10... d5c4  11. d2c4  11... b7b5 The first new move of the game. Once more the theory was dictated by a game played on Titled Tuesday. 12. c4d6  12... c8d7  13. f1d3  13... d8e7  14. e1g1  14... f6d5  15. d6e4  15... f8d8  16. a1c1  16... d7e8  17. d1e2 Now White has a small advantage, with the bishops pointing to the black king and the knight being able to jump to c5. 17... h7h6  18. f1d1  18... a8c8  19. h2h3  19... a7b6 Black decides to await events. 20. e4g3  20... d5f6  21. d3b1  21... d8d1  22. c1d1  22... c8d8  23. d1c1 [%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's important to keep a pair of rooks so as not to oversimplify the position. 23... g8f8 Prophylaxis against a possible check on h7, as we will see in the game. 24. g3e4  24... f6d5  25. e4c3 White's knight is working hard $1 It is natural to take it to c5, but Carlsen probably didn´t like 25...a5. 25... d5f6  26. e2c2  26... d8c8 [%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] 27. c3e4 [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's essential to remove the knight from f6 to attack the black king. 27... f6d5  28. e4c5 The advantage is already decisive. 28... b6c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows an immediate finish. 29. c2h7 [%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Not that this move is too bad, but mate in three is even better. It's surprising that Carlsen let this go. 29... f7f6  30. h7h8  30... f8f7  31. c1c5  31... e7b7  32. e3e4 This is still winning, but the computer indicates a wonderful way to finish the game. 32... d5f4  33. h8h7 [%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Wasting the last chance to settle the game. 33... c6e7 Now the game is unclear. Carlsen decides to sacrifice at the wrong moment. 34. f3e5 [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This just loses. 34... f6e5  35. b2e5  35... f4h5 [%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The world champion probably missed this move. Black is a piece up for no compensation. 36. g2g4  36... c8c5  37. b4c5  37... h5f6  38. e5f6  38... f7f6  39. g4g5  39... h6g5  40. e4e5  40... f6f7  41. h7h5  41... f7f8  42. h5g5  42... b7f3  43. g5g4  43... e8c6  44. g4f3  44... c6f3  45. g1h2  45... e7c6  46. h2g3  46... f3d5  47. f2f4  47... f8e7  48. g3f2  48... c6a5  49. h3h4  49... a5c4  50. b1d3  50... c4a3  51. f2e3  51... a6a5  52. e3d4  52... d5c6  53. h4h5  53... b5b4  54. f4f5  54... e6f5  55. d3f5 