1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. g2g3  3... d7d5  4. f1g2  4... f8e7  5. g1f3  5... e8g8  6. e1g1  6... d5c4  7. d1a4  7... a7a6  8. a4c4  8... b7b5  9. c4c2  9... c8b7  10. c1d2  10... a8a7 This move is much rarer than 10...Be4, but it hardly came as a surprise to Sevian, as Niemann had played it in 2023. This is a subtle move that delays the development of the knight, and the rook on a7 fulfills its function by defending the c7-pawn and freeing the a8-square for the queen, which will be useful after Nbd7. 11. a2a4 Black will quickly get a great position, so possibly this move is not the most accurate. 11... b5b4  12. d2g5  12... b8d7  13. b1d2  13... d8a8 [%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is one of the ideas of 10...Ra7. The queen goes to a8, and the other rook can come to c8, supporting the thematic c7-c5 advance. 14. f3e1 [%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A new move. 14... b7g2  15. e1g2  15... c7c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position is already more comfortable. 16. g5f6  16... g7f6 White can always try to bother the kingside after this capture, so it's preferable to take it with the bishop. 17. d2b3  17... c5d4  18. a1c1 [%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Controlling the c-file. 18... d7e5  19. b3d4  19... f8d8  20. d4b3  20... a7d7  21. g2f4 The position is more or less balanced, but Niemann will show a fighting spirit to try to unbalance the game and fight for victory. 21... g8g7 [%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] 22. f4h5 [%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is an almost irresistible check, but it doesn't help White's position. 22... g7h6 A curious square for the king, but White can't exploit it. 23. h5f4  23... f6f5  24. f4g2 Sevian was probably worried about the move Be7-g5. 24... h6g7  25. c2b1 This move is a bad sign for White, as it clearly shows that he is unsure of what to do. 25... e7f6 [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 26. c1c5  26... e5g6  27. c5c4  27... f6e7  28. b1c2  28... h7h5  29. h2h4 White has managed to organize his pieces. 29... a8b8  30. c2c1  30... e7f6  31. b3a5  31... b8b6 [%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]