[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true][%cal df5g7][%c_arrow f5g7;keyPressed;none;from;f5;opacity;0.8;to;g7;persistent;false][%c_highlight g7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g7;persistent;false] A fine sacrifice that unleashes the incandescent power of the bishops.
1. c2c4 [%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Interestingly, in this round everyone played the same first move. Chess960 has some peculiarities, such as the possibility of creating a strong threat right from the start of the game: here Black needs to defend the h7-pawn. Another curious phenomenon is the development of opening theory in this modality: it's fun to see the opening in the other games, since we don't have databases showing us what the most common opening moves are. Everything is a discovery. 1... h8g6  2. f2f4 Making way for the queen, a necessary step sooner or later. White can also start by opening the other bishop's diagonal with 2.b3. 2... c7c5  3. e2e3  3... b7b6  4. b2b3 Here Black has a choice. 4... f7f6 4...f5, 4...e6 and 4...d5 all look very logical. 5. f1f2 White also has plenty of moves. Moving one of the knights is possible. 5... f8f7  6. g2g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] In a recent interview, Aronian praised Chess960, and I suppose one of the things he likes is the possibility of creating exotic ideas in the opening because he is one of the most creative players of the modern chess era. Here he goes for an attack even with the king in the center and pieces without development, but the idea is more interesting in practice than the words describing it. Of course, there are good alternatives available. 6... d7d5 Black must counterattack in the center, but which pawn should be advanced $2 7. c4d5  7... f7d5  8. h2h4 White advances the pawns, but the pieces that provide the necessary support are the powerful bishops on a1 and b1. 8... e8g8 [%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Taking the king straight into the fire. This move is very dangerous. 9. h4h5  9... g6h8  10. c1e2  10... h8f7  11. h1g3  11... c8d6  12. g3f5  12... d8d7 [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive mistake. There's still everything to play for after