1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1c4  3... g8f6  4. d2d3  4... f8c5  5. e1g1  5... d7d6  6. c2c3  6... a7a5  7. h2h3  7... e8g8  8. c4b3  8... h7h6  9. f1e1  9... f8e8  10. b1d2  10... c8e6  11. b3a4  11... d8b8 It seems that almost all the initial paths of the Italian Opening have already been more or less studied. All of this is theoretical, but now the game takes on a unique character. With his last move Black prepared b7-b5. 12. a4c6 A new move. 12... b7c6  13. d2f1 Firouzja's choice leads to a slower game. The computer believes in equality, as always, but in practice the position is not easy to play and White retains chances to fight for the initiative. A problem for Black is that there's no clear plan, since d6-d5 usually loses a pawn. Meanwhile, White can move the knight to g3 and perhaps also think about Nh4-f5. This is an important concept in modern chess, especially when choosing opening lines: knowing how to identify, in case of equal positions, who has the \"easier\" game. 13... c5b6 A natural move, removing the bishop before White plays d3-d4. 14. f1g3  14... a5a4 Gaining space on the queenside. 15. d3d4  15... b8a7  16. c1e3  16... a7a5 The queen is activated, but it's worth noting that it's far from the kingside, the side of the board where White will start to stack his pieces. 17. d1c1 with an eye on the typical sac on h6. 17... g8h7  18. f3h4 The knight goes to f5, creating more attacking ideas. 18... f6g8 A useful retreat to secure the h6-pawn. 19. h4f5  19... c6c5 This move cuts off the queen's communication with the kingside, which can lead to disaster. 20. d4e5 This leads to a nice advantage, but there was a killer blow available. 20... e6f5  21. g3f5  21... d6e5  22. c3c4 Fixing the pawn structure before Black can play c5-c4. 22... a8d8  23. e1d1  23... a5a8  24. d1d5  24... c7c6  25. d5d8  25... e8d8  26. c1c2 The advantage in the pawn structure is practically decisive. At some point White can create a passed pawn on the queenside and Black's position will be close to collapse. 26... a8a6  27. a1c1 There are good alternatives to this move. 27... d8d7  28. a2a3  28... g8f6  29. c2e2  29... a6c8  30. e2c2  30... c8a6  31. c2c3 Naturally Firouzja is not interested in repeating moves. 31... a6a5  32. b2b4 The only way to keep an advantage.