1. e2e4  1... c7c5  2. g1f3  2... e7e6  3. d2d4  3... c5d4  4. f3d4  4... a7a6 The Paulsen Variation has a somewhat dubious reputation in elite circles these days, but Carlsen has played it a few times. 5. f1d3  5... d8c7  6. e1g1  6... g8f6  7. d1e2  7... d7d6  8. c2c4 White gets the Maroczy Bind formation, the one with the pawns on e4 and c4, which guarantees an advantage in space and a more comfortable game. 8... b8d7 Carlsen prepares to play the knight to e5 and capture the bishop on d3, which is also a bit provocative considering his development disadvantage. There are several alternatives. 9. b1c3  9... d7e5  10. h2h3 This is a rarely-played and difficult move. The idea is probably to place the bishop on e3 without Black having a knight jump to g4. 10.f4 is more natural. 10... b7b6  11. f2f4  11... e5d3  12. e2d3  12... c8b7 The first new move of the game. 13. f4f5 Taking advantage of the fact that the bishop has left the diagonal and the e6-pawn is under attack. 13... c7d7 [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move, Black finds himself at a great disadvantage. 14. c1g5  14... f8e7  15. a1d1 White makes natural moves, completing development. 15... a8c8 [%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things even worse. 16. d3e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening the way for the d1-rook to bother the black queen and creating the threat of e4-e5, which forces Black to close the center and be condemned to a typical Sicilian nightmare position due to the weakness on d5. 16... e6e5  17. g5f6  17... e7f6  18. d4c2  18... d7c6  19. c2e3 Much is written about the bishop pair, but don't forget that they need an open position to realize their potential. Here the knights are far superior, as the d5-square is paradise to them. 19... f6g5  20. g1h1 [%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows Carlsen to exchange one of the knights, something that comes as a small relief. 20... g5e3 [%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 21. e2e3  21... f7f6 To be honest, while Black's position is still very bad, it has improved from what it was before—which tells you just ​​how bad it was $1 22. b2b3  22... b6b5  23. c3d5 There's no need for White to worry about the fate of the c-pawn. 23... c6c5  24. e3f3  24... b5c4  25. f3h5  25... e8f8  26. f1f3 [%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is well placed on the third rank. 26... b7d5 Black can't stand this knight any longer. 27. d1d5  27... c5b6  28. b3c4  28... c8c4  29. f3b3 Black is practically playing a rook down. 29... c4b4  30. d5d3  30... b4b3  31. d3b3  31... b6c7  32. h5d1 [%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This retreat is the only winning move. The queen fulfills a double function: it avoids the check on c1 and places itself behind the rook for the decisive invasion. 32... g7g6  33. d1b1 [%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 33... c7c5  34. b3b7 [%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Cutting off the king and preparing a mating attack. 34... g6f5  35. h1h2 [%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final preparation. White now can play Qb3 without having to worry with a check on c1.