1. c2c4  1... g8f6  2. b1c3  2... c7c5  3. g2g3  3... d7d5  4. c4d5  4... f6d5  5. f1g2  5... d5c7  6. b2b3 A rare choice. 6... e7e5 Black's natural reaction, achieving a pawn formation known as the \"Maroczy Bind.\" 7. c1b2  7... f8e7  8. a1c1 White's game is very concrete and based on a quick attack on the \"Maroczy's pawns,\" even if this comes at the price of neglecting the development of the kingside. 8... e8g8 The best reaction. When in doubt, just castle. 9. c3e4 This natural move is a novelty. Gukesh came well-prepared to this game. 9... b7b6 [%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent reply. Volokitin is a very strong player, especially when he has the initiative. Sacrificing material for development is not a problem for him. 10. b2e5 Black's previous move was both a pawn sacrifice and an exchange sacrifice. It's better to accept the former than the latter. 10... c8b7  11. e5a1 Black was threatening to play f7-f5, forcing White to lose more time before developing the pieces. 11... d8c8 Protecting the b7-bishop and renewing the threat of f7-f5. 12. g3g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 12... c7e6 [%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Here Gukesh finally started to think. Excellent preparation in a variation with not too much theory. 12...Nc6 and 12...f5 are better attempts to demonstrate compensation for the pawn. 13. g1h3 Now White can complete the development, and the pawns on the kingside are ready to advance. 13... b8c6  14. e2e3 [%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A prophylactic move, preventing the knight from going to d4. This subtlety, however, is unnecessary. 14... c6b4 [%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 15. e1g1  15... b4a2  16. c1b1 Black has managed to recover the material but needs to be careful: the plan with f4-f5 is very dangerous. 16... a2b4 [%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 17. f2f4 [%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 17... f7f6  18. d1f3 [%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White had a forced win, but it's easy to find it with a cup of coffee and the computer on. 18... b7c6  19. f4f5  19... e6c7 [%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive error, after which Gukesh executes a forced destruction sequence on the black king. 20. g4g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 20... f6g5  21. f3g3 [%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's bishops cross the board with lethal force, especially the one on a1. 21... h7h6  22. f5f6 [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 22... g7f6  23. a1f6  23... c6e4  24. h3g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The decisive blow.