1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... g7g6  3. g1f3  3... f8g7  4. g2g3  4... c7c6  5. f1g2  5... d7d5  6. e1g1  6... e8g8  7. f3e5 This line should not have come as a surprise for Vachier-Lagrave as Firouzja is the driving force behind this interesting concept. 7... d5c4  8. e5c4  8... c8e6  9. b2b3  9... e6d5  10. c1b2  10... b8d7 The second main move in the position, although there are only a handful of games anyway. 11. b1c3  11... d5g2  12. g1g2  12... b7b5 A novelty, and a good one $1 Vachier-Lagrave is about to free himself in full. 13. c4d2  13... e7e5 The point $1 Black clears the most annoying white central pawn and modifies the pawn structure in his favor. 14. d4e5  14... d7e5  15. d2e4  15... e5g4 Also a good choice. Black generally wants to trade pieces but wants to trade them on his own terms. 16. e4f6  16... g4f6  17. d1c2  17... d8e7 Not letting e2-e4. Perhaps Firouzja should have played it earlier when he had a chance $2 On move one $2 18. f1e1  18... e7c5 Same policy. 19. a1c1  19... f8e8  20. c3d1 A tough decision. Firouzja took it after some thought. 20... c5c2  21. c1c2  21... e8e6 Black does not have any problems. In fact, he is already pressing. 22. d1e3  22... a8d8  23. e3f1 Very artificial. 23... f6d5  24. b2g7  24... g8g7  25. a2a3  25... a7a5  26. f1d2  26... b5b4 Vachier-Lagrave goes for the full point. The c3-outpost is definitely more valuable than the c4-one, and there is something more to it. 27. a3a4  27... e6e3 A beautiful transition $1 As we shall see, this is more a courageous decision than objectively a good one. 28. c2c6 Almost an instant recapture, but perhaps Firouzja needed to take some time on the clock and relax a bit before executing it. 28... e3c3  29. d2c4  29... c3b3  30. e2e4 Firouzja also wants the full point $1 30... d8e8  31. c4d6  31... e8e6  32. e1d1  32... d5f6  33. e4e5 That is already a mistake. 33... f6g4 The central pawn cannot be defended. 34. c6c7  34... g4e5  35. f2f4  35... b3d3 Another key move for Vachier-Lagrave. Without the second pair of rooks, his king will be safe and the outside passer will become the key factor. 36. d1d3  36... e5d3  37. c7f7  37... g7g8  38. f7d7  38... b4b3  39. d7d8  39... g8g7  40. d8d7  40... g7f8  41. d6c4  41... b3b2 Winning the knight and the game $1 42. c4b2  42... d3b2  43. d7a7  43... b2a4  44. a7a5  44... a4b6 White can trade one more set of pawns, but that would be it. 45. g3g4  45... b6d7  46. g2g3  46... e6e3  47. g3h4  47... d7f6  48. a5a8  48... f8f7  49. a8a7  49... e3e7  50. a7a5  50... f6e4 Vachier-Lagrave consolidates his position and confidently converts the advantage. 51. f4f5  51... e7d7  52. f5g6  52... h7g6  53. a5a4  53... d7e7  54. a4a5  54... f7f6  55. g4g5  55... f6f7  56. h4g4  56... e4d6  57. a5a4  57... d6f5  58. h2h4  58... f5g7  59. g4f3  59... g7h5  60. a4b4 