1. e2e4  1... c7c5  2. g1f3  2... e7e6  3. d2d4  3... c5d4  4. f3d4  4... a7a6 The Paulsen Variation has a somewhat dubious reputation in elite circles these days, but Carlsen has played it a few times. 5. f1d3  5... d8c7  6. e1g1  6... g8f6  7. d1e2  7... d7d6  8. c2c4 White gets the Maroczy Bind formation, the one with the pawns on e4 and c4, which guarantees an advantage in space and a more comfortable game. 8... b8d7 Carlsen prepares to play the knight to e5 and capture the bishop on d3, which is also a bit provocative considering his development disadvantage. There are several alternatives. 9. b1c3  9... d7e5  10. h2h3 This is a rarely-played and difficult move. The idea is probably to place the bishop on e3 without Black having a knight jump to g4. 10.f4 is more natural. 10... b7b6  11. f2f4  11... e5d3  12. e2d3  12... c8b7 The first new move of the game. 13. f4f5 Taking advantage of the fact that the bishop has left the diagonal and the e6-pawn is under attack. 13... c7d7 [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move, Black finds himself at a great disadvantage. 14. c1g5  14... f8e7  15. a1d1 White makes natural moves, completing development. 15... a8c8 [%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things even worse. 16. d3e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening the way for the d1-rook to bother the black queen and creating the threat of e4-e5, which forces Black to close the center and be condemned to a typical Sicilian nightmare position due to the weakness on d5. 16... e6e5  17. g5f6  17... e7f6  18. d4c2  18... d7c6  19. c2e3 Much is written about the bishop pair, but don't forget that they need an open position to realize their potential. Here the knights are far superior, as the d5-square is paradise to them. 19... f6g5  20. g1h1 [%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows Carlsen to exchange one of the knights, something that comes as a small relief. 20... g5e3 [%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 21. e2e3  21... f7f6 To be honest, while Black's position is still very bad, it has improved from what it was before—which tells you just ​​how bad it was $1