1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... d7d6 A must-win situation for the rating favorite, and Giri avoids the beaten tracks. 3. b1c3  3... b8d7  4. e2e4  4... e7e5  5. g1f3  5... f8e7  6. f1e2  6... e8g8  7. e1g1  7... c7c6  8. d4d5 This is, of course, possible but looks a bit premature.  Instead, White is usually trying to keep the pawn structure in the center  flexible, waiting for a concession. 8... d7c5 This square is the difference. 9. d1c2  9... a7a5  10. c1e3  10... d8c7  11. a2a3  11... f6g4 In order to unbalance as much as he can. 12. e3c5 This is a novelty and a logical one. 12... d6c5  13. f3e1  13... g4f6  14. e1d3 Abdusattorov wants to tame the enemy  pieces, but the pawn breaks are just about to start. 14... c8d7  15. b2b3  15... c6d5  16. c4d5  16... b7b5  17. d3b2 Intending a3-a4, but the young Uzbek GM comes a move  short. 17... c5c4 Giri crashes through with a typical anti-blocking  sacrifice. 18. b3c4  18... b5b4  19. a3b4  19... a5b4  20. c3a4  20... a8a5 The pin is more than annoying. 21. e2d1  21... f8a8  22. c2d3  22... e7c5  23. d1b3  23... h7h6 Giri has clearly outplayed his younger opponent, and this is  the first moment when he could have levelled the score in the match. 24. d3c2  24... c7a7  25. h2h3  25... c5d4  26. a1a2  26... a5a6 The second good moment to likely level the match  is missed. 27. f1a1  27... a8c8  28. a4c3 Abdusattorov is shaking the boat! The young GM  feels that this is a good moment to finally free himself from the pin. 28... a6a3 Precision! 29. b2d3 Defending the pawn and moving from yet another pin. This is the  human way to do it. 29... f6e4 It seems as White's position collapses. 30. c3e4  30... d4a1  31. c4c5 The last chance! 31... a3a2 That should be good enough for the win. 32. c2a2  32... a7a2  33. b3a2  33... c8a8  34. a2c4 Abdusattorov stabilizes and seems  ready to start pushing the passers. But it was once again about a tempo. 34... d7f5  35. f2f3  35... a1d4  36. g1f1  36... g8f8 Alas, Giri has passed another clear  win. Unsurprisingly, the pins are involved again. 37. d5d6  37... f5e4 Missing the last winning opportunity. 38. f3e4  38... a8d8  39. f1e2 Now the white pawns will cost Black a piece. 39... d4c5  40. d3c5  40... d8d6  41. c5d3  41... f7f6  42. c4d5 The white pieces are  super-solid, and he is out of danger. 42... d6b6  43. e2d2  43... f8e7  44. d2c2  44... e7d6  45. c2b3  45... b6b8  46. h3h4  46... f6f5  47. h4h5  47... f5f4  48. d3e1  48... d6e7  49. e1f3 The white pieces are holding the enemy ones behind. 49... e7f6  50. d5c4  50... b8b7  51. c4d5  51... b7b6  52. d5c4  52... b6b8  53. c4d5  53... b8b5  54. d5c4  Finally, a desperate Giri sacrifices his passer: 54... b5a5 