1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. g2g3  3... d7d5  4. f1g2  4... f8b4 [%c_arrow b1c3;keyPressed;none;from;b1;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false,c1d2;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false,b1d2;keyPressed;none;from;b1;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false] A very popular choice in this particular move order of the Catalan Opening. This check forces White to transpose the game to a Nimzo-Indian after 5.Nc3, place the bishop in a slightly worse position with 5.Bd2, or place the knight in an undesirable square after 5.Nd2. 5. b1d2  5... e8g8  6. g1f3  6... b7b6  7. e1g1  7... c8b7  8. b2b3 A simple and logical move, preparing to develop the bishop. 8... b8d7  9. c1b2  9... d8e7  10. a2a3  10... b4d6  11. f3h4 [%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true][%c_arrow h4f5;keyPressed;none;from;h4;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false] An interesting move that shows a small problem with putting the queen on e7. White wants to capture the pawn on d5 and then place the knight on f5. 11... g7g6 [%c_arrow g6f5;keyPressed;none;from;g6;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false] Useful to protect the f5-square, although it weakens the kingside a little bit. 12. b3b4 A new move. 12... c7c5 This is forced, otherwise White just plays c4-c5. 13. b4c5  13... b6c5  14. c4d5  14... e6d5 Black has to capture with the pawn and accept an isolated queen pawn, which is actually not bad in this position. 15. d4c5  15... d7c5 Black has a good version of an isolated queen pawn position, with good piece development. The game is balanced. 16. d2b3  16... f6e4 16...Rab8 and 16...Ba6 are good alternatives. 17. b3a5 [%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true][%c_highlight h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false,a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false][%c_arrow a5b7;keyPressed;none;from;a5;opacity;0.8;to;b7;persistent;false] They say a knight on the rim is dim, but Giri, a player with superb positional understanding, places both of his knights on the side. He does it with clear intentions: the knight goes to a5 to capture the bishop, winning the bishop pair. 17... a8b8  18. d1d4 [%c_highlight d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false,b2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b2;persistent;false] The good old queen and bishop battery, forcing Black to move the pawn to f6. 18... f7f6  19. a5b7 