1. d2d4  1... e7e6  2. c2c4  2... b7b6  3. g1f3  3... c8b7  4. b1c3  4... g8f6  5. a2a3  5... g7g6 In a must-win situation  Vachier-Lagrave makes an original opening choice. 6. d4d5  6... e6d5  7. c4d5  7... f8g7  8. g2g3  8... e8g8  9. f1g2  9... f8e8  10. e1g1  10... b8a6  11. c1f4  11... c7c6  12. d5c6  12... d7c6  13. d1d8  13... a8d8 Black equalizes easily, and  thanks to his queenside majority he enjoys a slight pull. 14. f1d1  This, however, is a serious inaccuracy. 14... f6d5 An offer to self-isolate a pawn is rare in the middlegame, but here Vachier-Lagrave spotted a concrete problem for White. 15. c3d5  15... c6d5  16. f3d4  16... a6c5 That is it. One of the white pawns will be lost  anyway, and Black will not allow any compensation. 17. f4e3  17... g7d4  18. e3d4  18... c5b3  19. a1b1 