1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1c4  3... f8c5  4. d2d3  4... g8f6  5. h2h3  5... d7d6  6. c2c3  6... a7a6  7. b1d2  7... c5a7  8. c4b3  8... e8g8  9. d2f1 As always, many plans are possible in the Italian Opening. None give White an advantage, but all promise a lively middlegame. White delays castling to move the knight quickly to g3, but the problem is that this allows immediate play in the center. 9... c8e6  10. b3c2  10... d6d5 [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 11. e4d5 [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Only played once before. This move allows for a comfortable game for Black. 11... e6d5 [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 12. f1g3  12... f8e8  13. e1g1  13... e5e4 A move that aims to simplify the position. 14. d3e4  14... f6e4  15. c1f4 [%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Developing and protecting the g3-knight. The best moves in chess are those that fulfill more than one function. 15... e4g3  16. f4g3  16... a7b6 [%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very good play. Lazavik protects the pawn on c7, which was threatened. 17. f1e1  17... e8e1  18. d1e1  18... d8f6  19. e1e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Excellent play by Firouzja, who doesn't mind the capture of the knight on f3 and the resulting doubled pawns. By now he is threatening Qd3, with an eye on the bishop and the pawn on h7. 19... d5f3 This capture can be postponed, but it's probably the best move anyway after 20. g2f3 White's pair of bishops is a more important factor than the pawn structure. Black's position is not easy to defend, but Lazavik shows his class. 20... g7g6 Necessary to give air to the king and restrict the light-squared bishop. 21. a1e1  21... a8d8  22. g1g2 [%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Simply reinforcing the position, without rushing. 22... g8g7  23. c2a4 A tempting move, as the knight protects the e5-square that can be used by the bishop. 23... d8d7  24. e2e8 White has some tempting alternatives. 24... d7d8  25. e8e4  25... d8d7  26. g3h4 A tempting move, forcing a concession from Black. He has to take a difficult decision between 26...Qf5 or 26...g5. 26... f6f5  27. e4f5  27... g6f5  28. a4c6  28... b7c6  29. h4g5  29... f7f6  30. g5f4  30... g7f7  31. g2f1 Black is very close to a draw, but Firouzja's great merit was to fight until the end. 31... d7d3 [%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 32. f1e2  32... d3d8  33. e1d1  33... d8d1 The rooks will be exchanged sooner or later, for instance: