1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... g8e7 Steinitz's favorite defense is back into the spotlight, mainly thanks to the efforts of Aronian and Sadhwani. 4. e1g1  4... e7g6 The modern treatment. Steinitz preferred to fianchetto his dark-squared bishop instead. 5. d2d4  5... e5d4  6. f3d4  6... f8c5  7. d4c6 Too modest. 7... b7c6  8. b5d3  8... e8g8 The arising positon is more a Scotch than a Ruy Lopez. And quite a favorable version for Black, with an active knight on g6 rather than a vulnerable one on the f6-square. 9. b1c3  9... a7a5  10. d1h5 Smirnov wants to capitalize on the missing Nf6 and build a rapid kingside attack. 10... d7d6  11. c1g5 [#] 11... d8e8 [%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] But Artemiev is up to the task and flashes out a novelty. 12. g1h1 White is ready to launch a practically decisive atatck with f2-f4-f5-f6, but there is a problem. 12... g6e5 [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There will be no time for the f-pawn's advance $1 13. d3e2  13... f7f5 [%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is what the mystery queen move was all about. Once the queens are removed from the board, Black will have the stronger pieces. And he won't care if his pawns look good or not—it will be the files and the diagonals that matter. 14. h5e8  14... f8e8  15. f2f3  15... c5d4 [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another accurate move. Not only does Artemiev threaten to destroy the opponent's pawn structure by capturing the e4-pawn, but a march of the a-pawn is on the agenda. 16. g5d2  16... f5e4  17. f3e4 Sad but needed, as the b2-pawn hangs. 17... c8g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Another powerful decision. Technically, the e2-bishop is weaker than its black counterpart. However, as it protects a lot of important points, it's desirable to eliminate it. 18. a1e1  18... g4e2  19. e1e2  19... e5c4 This is also a nasty infiltration point. 20. d2c1  20... d4c3 [%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another classy trade. The knight is completely dominating the bishop, which cannot protect the weaknesses. 21. b2c3 