1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. g1f3  3... d7d5  4. g2g3  4... f8b4  5. c1d2  5... b4e7 Giving a check and then returning the same piece can be strange, after all, shouldn't we prioritize development and move the pieces only once in the opening $2 This maneuver, which has become thematic and is used in several similar opening systems, is based on the fact that the white bishop would actually be better off on c1 than on d2, for more reasons than one. This will become clear in this game, as we will see a few moves later. 6. f1g2  6... e8g8  7. e1g1  7... c7c6 This system is one of the most solid and reputable options for Black against the Catalan Opening. 8. b2b3 Maghsoodloo had already played this before. 8... b7b6  9. d2c1 Another rare move, but one that has already been played by the world champion. The bishop returns to the starting square and there are two good reasons for this: the first is to position itself on b2, the second is to make it clear to the reader the biggest advantage of Black's bishop maneuver in the opening. Inquisitive minds will certainly reflect on whether it isn't better to take the bishop to c3 with the same idea. I'll leave this philosophical discussion aside, after all it probably doesn't make that much difference. 9... b8d7  10. c1b2  10... a7a5 This move is useful for later developing the bishop on a6. 11. d1c2  11... c8a6 A new move. 12. b1d2  12... c6c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's important to strike in the center before White can play e2-e4. 13. a1c1  13... a8c8  14. c2b1 A natural sequence: White takes the queen from the same file as the black rook and is now ready to bring the rook to d1 or play e4. 14... d5c4 Gukesh decides to break the central tension. 15. d2c4  15... b6b5  16. c4e5  16... d7e5  17. f3e5  17... d8b6  18. c1c2 [%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A subtle move that creates practical problems for Black. The idea is to double rooks on the c-file. Black cannot take on d4 and trying to double rooks, as Gukesh does, is not advisable. 18... c8c7 [%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] 19. d4c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 19... e7c5  20. e5d3 [%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 20... c5d6  21. c2c7 It's possible to notice the problem of the rook on c7, as now White can control the c-file. 21... b6c7  22. f1c1  22... c7e7  23. d3e5 A good move, but White has other tempting choices. 23... a6b7  24. g2b7 [%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An inaccurate move that loses part of the advantage. 24... d6e5 [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 25. b7c6  25... e5b2  26. b1b2  26... b5b4  27. b2e5 The position remains unpleasant for Black. 27... e7d8  28. c1c4  28... h7h6 [%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 29. g1g2  29... d8b6  30. c6f3  30... b6d8  31. c4d4  31... d8b6  32. d4c4  32... b6d8  33. c4c6 White prepares for the harvest: the fruits of the queenside are already ripe. 33... f8e8  34. c6a6  34... f6d5 One of the ideas of Black's previous move: if White captures the knight, then the e8-rook becomes active. Otherwise the knight can go to c3. 35. e2e3 White reinforces his position and waits for a move from Black, who doesn't have much to do. 35... e8e7 This move loses, but the position is hard to defend anyway. 36. e5d4 A good and solid practical move. 36... e7d7  37. d4c5 The position remains winning for White. With the queenside about to fall, Gukesh goes for a last chance to muddle the waters. 37... d7c7  38. c5a5  38... d5e3 [%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A losing move, but a very good practical decision. 39. f2e3  39... c7c2  40. g2h3  40... d8d3  41. a6a7 [%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] One wrong move is enough to ruin a very well played game. 41... d3f1 Suddenly Black has enough counterplay to save the game.