With the center closed, players can maneuver without haste. White needs to prepare the pawn advance on the king's flank.
1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. b1c3  3... f8b4  4. f2f3 An extremely dynamic, creative and risky opening system, matching Arjun's playing style. 4... c7c5  5. a2a3  5... b4c3  6. b2c3  6... b8c6  7. e2e4  7... d7d6 A typical Nimzo-Indian pawn structure. I've always liked Black in this type of position. 8. g1e2  8... h7h6 This move prevents the pin with Bg5, but for me it's not clear that it's necessary. Black could castle or immediately begin his traditional plan on the queenside with b6-Ba6. 9. a1a2 We saw a similar maneuver in the now famous match game between Ding Liren and Nepomniachtchi. I must admit that I already had difficulty understanding the move in that game and I have even more difficulty understanding it in this one. In fact, I must admit that Arjun's moves in general are incomprehensible to me—perhaps that's why he is my favorite chess player nowadays. 9... d8a5  10. e1f2 [%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black was threatening to capture on d4. 10... a5c7 It's open for discussion whether sending White's king to f2 is such a great achievement. The standard presumptions do not apply to this position. 11. d4d5  11... c6e5 This is inaccurate. 12. e2g3  12... e8g8  13. a3a4 Useful to prevent a possible break on b5, which could be dangerous with the white king in the center. Observing breaks in a pawn structure is very important to understand your plan and that of your opponent. The opening was a success for White. 13... c7a5 The queen makes a surprising return to this square. 14. d1c2  14... a5a6  15. a2a3 As I humbly wrote before and reaffirm now: Arjun's moves are difficult to understand, since he plays chess without prejudice. I'd never in a thousand years think about this move. 15... f8e8  16. c2a2  16... a6a5  17. f1e2  17... e5g6  18. h1d1 Considering that Black can close the center, perhaps it would be better to leave the rook on h1 and develop the bishop first, so the h2-h4 advance could be accomplished.