1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. b1c3  3... f8b4  4. e2e3  4... e8g8  5. f1d3  5... d7d5  6. c4d5  6... e6d5  7. a2a3  7... b4d6  8. d1c2 Both players are entering one of the most complex structures, a Carlsbad with a white dark-squared bishop behind the pawn chain. 8... a7a6  9. g1e2  9... f8e8  10. e1g1 10.0-0 is the recent fashion according to Megabase. 10... b7b6  11. b2b4 So prepared quite well, whereas Mamedyarov was already taking time on the clock. White is following the footprints of another participant of the Superbet Classic, Richard Rapport. The Hungarian GM won a spectacular game against Vidit, which you can see below. First and foremost, White needs to take the teeth out of the c7-c5 break. 11... b8d7 In Belgrade, Rapport came up with a good plan. 12. e2f4 Which So also follows. Importantly, White tries to lure the opponent's bishop on b7 anyway. 12... d6f4 This is a novelty, but likely an over-the-board one. In these positions, this capture usually works well for White. 13. e3f4 \"I was very surprised when he took. I think White was better here.\" (So) 13... c7c5 The point. Otherwise, Black will be smothered. 14. d4c5  14... b6c5  15. f1d1 White needs to tame the enemy’s hanging pawns. 15... c8b7 Whereas Mamedyarov needs to keep the tension as much as he can. 16. c3a4 \"Maybe not the best.\" (So) 16... c5c4 Not an easy decision to make, as Mamedyarov now risks having his bishop locked behind his pawns forever. 17. d3f5  17... a6a5 In order to swap his isolated and weak pawn. It is interesting to know that the engine loved Black's play so far. But this last move apparently wastes two valuable tempi and, after that, So manages to bring the situation under control. 18. c1e3  18... a5b4  19. a3b4  19... d8e7  20. a1b1  20... g7g6  21. f5d7 More or less forced, but good $1 21... f6d7  22. a4c3  22... d7f6  23. e3d4 As a result of his strategy, So can enjoy an aggressive blockade with better play on both flanks. 23... f6h5  24. c2d2  24... f7f6 \"Too passive, basically just playing for a draw.\" (So) 25. h2h3  25... h5g7  26. d4c5 Time to swap the roles of the blockaders. 26... e7f7  27. c3b5  27... g7f5  28. b5d4  28... f7d7  29. d1e1  29... g8f7  30. e1e8  30... a8e8  31. b1a1  31... e8a8  32. a1e1  32... a8e8 But later the Azeri GM would regret spoiling his pawn structure. 33. e1e8  33... d7e8  34. d4f5  34... g6f5  35. c5d4 So remained in full control and can bother, as before, the opponent on both flanks. Still, with perfect defense, this should be somehow holdable for Black, but in a real game, the practical problems that Mamedyarov faced proved to be way too many. 35... b7c6  36. f2f3  36... h7h5 