1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c1f4 In the decisive game of the mini-match, Carlsen chooses  his beloved London System. 2... d7d5  3. e2e3  3... c8g4  4. f2f3 There is still  plenty of room for investigation in this line. A bit more than a hundred  games have been played so far. 4... g4d7  5. g2g4 The logical follow-up.  White is not only gaining space; he is also safeguarding his bishop from  the possible trade after the Nf6-h5 maneuver. 5... c7c5  6. c2c3  6... d8b6  7. d1b3  7... e7e6  8. b1d2  8... c5c4  9. b3c2  9... f8d6 As weird as this might sound, this obvious move leads to major difficulties for Black. It is, however, difficult to suggest a good plan  for Black. 10. f4d6  10... b6d6  11. e3e4  11... d6c7 Now it all ends in... a French Defense. 12. e4e5  12... f6g8  13. g1e2 The perfect French Defense arose for White. He has  managed to trade the opponent's good bishop and is already expanding on  the kingside with full speed. 13... b8c6  14. f3f4  14... h7h5 Aronian is trying to somehow block the position. 15. g4h5 White needs files for his pieces. 15... h8h5  16. h1g1  16... e8f8  17. d2f3  17... g8e7  18. e2g3  18... h5h6  19. c2d2  19... b7b5  20. a2a3  20... a7a5  21. h2h4  21... f7f5  22. f1e2 A solid development. 22... c6d8  23. e1f2  23... a5a4 Aronian believes that his fortifications are solid enough, but this impression is wrong. 24. g1g2  24... d8f7  25. a1g1 In reality, Carlsen's position is strategically won. He consistently brings his pieces to their optimal squares and then  prepares a sacrifice that will destroy the opponent's pawn chain. 25... h6h8  26. h4h5  26... f7h6  27. f3g5  27... a8a6  28. g3f1  28... d7e8  29. f1e3  29... e7g8  30. e2f3  30... c7e7  31. f2e1 Sending the king into a  safe place before the final storm. This is the reason why Aronian did not  have to lock the queenside. 31... e8f7  32. e1d1  32... a6a7  33. d1c1  33... a7d7  34. e3d5 The time has come. 34... d7d5  35. g5f7  35... h6f7  36. f3d5  36... e6d5  37. g2g7  37... g8h6  38. d2g2  38... h6g4 The last slim blockading dream. 39. g7g4 A rude awakening. The road for the pawns needs to be cleared.  39... f5g4  40. g2g4  40... f8e8  41. f4f5  41... f7e5 The last chance. 42. d4e5  42... e7e5  43. f5f6 Which suddenly worked! 43... e5e3  44. c1b1  44... e3e4 This simple trade might have been missed by  the world champion. 45. g4e4  45... d5e4  46. g1h1  46... e8f7  47. h5h6  47... f7f6  48. b1c1  48... h8d8 Or perhaps this is the concrete move that Carlsen missed in advance.  Aronian cuts the white king away, and this should have saved him. 49. h1d1  49... d8d3 Suddenly it is a draw. 50. d1h1  50... d3d8  51. h6h7  51... f6g7  52. h1h5  52... d8e8 Alas, a decisive mistake. 53. c1d2 The king is out, and the black pawns start dropping like ripe  pears. 53... e4e3  54. d2e2  54... g7h8  55. h5b5  55... h8h7  56. b5b4  56... h7g6  57. b4c4  57... e8a8  58. e2e3  58... g6f5  59. e3d3  59... f5e5  60. c4b4  60... e5d5  61. c3c4 