White makes more or less the same  moves and Be2-f3 would be played sooner or later. However, the move order  chosen by So seems to discourage the standard development of the black  pieces.
1. g1f3  1... c7c5  2. c2c4  2... g8f6  3. b1c3  3... b8c6  4. d2d4  4... c5d4  5. f3d4  5... e7e6  6. a2a3  6... f8c5  7. d4b3  7... c5e7  8. e2e4 From an English opening into a Hedgehog. 8... e8g8  9. f1e2  9... b7b6  10. e1g1  10... c8b7  11. c1e3  11... a8c8  12. f2f4  12... d7d6 