Lazavik follows the plan he already knew from his game in the Blitz World Championship.
1. c2c4  1... g8f6  2. b1c3  2... e7e5  3. g1f3  3... b8c6  4. g2g3  4... d7d5  5. c4d5  5... f6d5  6. f1g2  6... f8c5 A popular move nowadays. The old and classical choice is 6...Nb6, while 6...Nf6 is another modern try. 7. e1g1  7... e8g8  8. d2d3  8... h7h6 [%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This prophylactic move is important to control the g5-square, which is left unprotected with the bishop on c5 instead of the more traditional development on e7. If Black plays the bishop on e6, for example, the white knight can jump to g5. 9. c3d5  9... d8d5  10. c1d2  10... f8d8  11. d1c2  11... d5d6  12. a2a3  12... a7a5 Preventing b2-b4. 13. a1c1  13... c5b6  14. d2e3 [%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A subtle move, offering the exchange of bishops and otherwise preparing to capture on b6. We can appreciate the real idea of inserting a3-a5 before playing this, since now it's not possible to capture on b6 with the a-pawn anymore. 14... c8e6 Once again we see a modernized understanding of \"doubled pawns.\" Here Black prefers to double his own pawns instead doubling White's. What justifies the decision may be surprising to those who are used to believing that doubled pawns are always a weakness. It turns out that chess positions are meant to be played and not for a painting on the wall, so instead of looking for pretty positions, it's better to look for ones that are easy to play. With the doubled pawns on the e-file, White reinforces his central control, especially on the d4-square, in addition to using the f-file for his rook. With the doubled pawns on the b-file, Black gains a plan to advance the pawns, which can result in a distant passed pawn. 15. e3b6  15... c7b6 To be able to demonstrate the advantage of the pawn structure, White needs to advance in the center and prevent Black's pawns from moving on the queenside, but this is not an easy task. 16. c2a4 Stopping b6-b5. 16... e6d5  17. e2e3 This move controls the d4-square and supports a future d3-d4, but leaves the knight on f3 unprotected. 17... a8c8  18. c1c3 