1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c1f4  2... d7d5  3. e2e3  3... c8f5  4. f1d3 This opening was played several times during today's matches. 4... f5g6  5. h2h4 A rare plan—I found only two games by amateur players in my database. A transposition to a professional game will occur later on. In the other games, Grischuk played the more natural 5.Nf3. 5... e7e6  6. h4h5  6... g6d3  7. d1d3  7... b8d7  8. b1c3 [%c_highlight c2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c2;persistent;false,c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false] A curious square for the knight, since the more traditional laws of strategy don't recommend a knight in front of the c-pawn in queen's pawn structures. However, this rule has been broken for many years, and its validity is even more questionable in fast time controls. 8... f8d6  9. h5h6  9... g7g6  10. g1f3 Both players refuse to exchange bishops, proving once more that doubled pawns are not a weakness in many positions. If White captures, Black can make use of the half-open c-file, and the pawn on d6 will control the e5-square, taking it away from White's knight. In turn, if Black captures on f4, then White gains space and a robust pawn formation. 10... e8g8  11. e1c1  11... a7a6 [%c_arrow b7b5;keyPressed;none;from;b7;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false] Intending to advance the pawn to b5, starting counterplay on the queenside. 12. f4g5 A somewhat strange move that is not too dangerous. 12... d6e7  13. f3d2  13... b7b5  14. f2f3 [%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A bit slow. 14... c7c5  15. d4c5  15... d7c5  16. d3d4  16... c5d7  17. c1b1  17... a8c8  18. c3e2  18... d8c7  19. c2c3 It's clear that Black has the advantage. His king is safer since the prospect of an attack advancing the a- and b-pawns is clear. It's also worth noting that Black has an extra pawn in the center, usually a positional advantage. 19... f8e8  20. d1c1  20... a6a5  21. h1d1  21... c7b7  22. d4h4  22... a5a4 [%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 23. a2a3 It's understandable that Grischuk stops the pawn, although 23... g8f8 [%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] 24. e2d4  24... e6e5  25. d4c2 Now Black has no more attack since the pawns are paralyzed. Meanwhile, White prepares to advance in the center. 25... c8c6 [%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 26. e3e4 [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 26... c6e6  27. e4d5 