1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... g8f6  4. d2d3  4... f8c5  5. e1g1  5... c6d4  6. f3d4  6... c5d4  7. b1d2  7... c7c6  8. b5c4 A rare move. 8.Ba4 is much more popular. 8... d7d6  9. c2c3  9... d4b6  10. c4b3  10... a7a5 A useful to move to gain space and keep the bishop on the g1-a7 diagonal. 11. d2c4  11... b6a7  12. c4e3 A novelty, but not an impressive one. Overall Gukesh's play in the opening doesn't bring any particular benefits. 12... e8g8  13. d1f3  13... d6d5 [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has an excellent position after this move. 14. b3c2  14... g7g6 [%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A difficult decision, but it seems to be justified. The idea of the move is to prevent Ne3-f5 and to support Nh5 in some lines. 15. f1e1  15... c8e6  16. e4d5 How to resolve the central tension is always a difficult decision. The problem is that Black can play d5-d4 at some point. 16... c6d5  17. h2h3 Black couldn't ask for a better position in the Ruy Lopez: good control of the center and a great bishop on a7. 17... f8e8 [%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is inaccurate, as the rook can be attacked. 18. c2a4 [%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 18... e5e4 The only move to justify 17...Re8. 19. d3e4  19... d5e4  20. f3e2  20... e8e7  21. e3f1 [%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight gives way to the development of the dark-squared bishop. 21... d8c7 [%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing Be6-c4. 22. a4b3  22... a5a4 [%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A good move to gain space and force the exchange. 23. b3e6  23... e7e6 