1. d2d4  1... d7d5  2. c2c4  2... c7c6  3. g1f3  3... g8f6  4. b1c3  4... e7e6  5. e2e3  5... b8d7  6. f1e2 This is a fashionable move. How can the bishop be better developed on e2 than on d3 $2 The idea is that after Black's dxc4, White is not forced to capture. 6... f8d6  7. b2b3  7... b7b6 As a general rule, in the Semi-Slav it's never too bad if you just play b6, Bb7, and so on, even in worse situations than this. 8. c1b2  8... c8b7  9. e1g1  9... e8g8  10. d1c2  10... f8e8  11. a1d1  11... d8e7 Firouzja decides to develop the rook on d8 instead of c8. 12. f1e1  12... a8d8  13. h2h3  13... h7h6 That's a good strategy: if your opponent plays h3, why not play h6 back $2 Isn't chess supposed to be a game of patience $2 14. e2f1  14... d6a3 This move was only played once in the most prestigious weekly online tournament. When I analyze the opening phase of these elite games, I'm always surprised by how well-prepared and avant-garde the Titled Tuesday crowd is. 15. c4d5 A new move. 15... e6d5 As a rule of thumb, you never want to capture with the c-pawn when the knight is developed on d7 in similar positions. 16. b2a3  16... e7a3  17. d1b1  17... a7a5 Avoiding the minority attack with b3-b4. 18. f1d3  18... a3e7 White probably can claim a slight advantage in this position, typical of Queen's Gambit Declined pawn structures. The plan is to advance the queenside or to break with e3-e4. 19. c2b2  19... f6e4  20. b1c1  20... e4g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] 21. f3g5 