That is the idea $1 He wants to first weaken the opponent's kingside, provoking Black's next move.
1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. g1f3  3... d7d5  4. b1c3  4... f8b4  5. e2e3  5... e8g8  6. c1d2  6... b7b6 A super-solid line of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, is it not $2 7. c4d5  7... e6d5  8. f1d3  8... c8b7  9. d1c2 That is already rare—what does Aronian have on his mind $2 9... f8e8  10. a2a3  10... b4f8 