1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1c4 The Italian enjoys another peak of popularity  nowadays. 3... f8c5  4. e1g1  4... g8f6  5. d2d3  5... d7d6  6. c2c3  6... h7h6  7. f1e1  7... e8g8  8. b1d2  8... a7a5  9. d2f1  9... c8e6  10. c4b5 All of this is very popular nowadays, and  both players actually have a lot of experience in the line. 10... c6e7  11. d3d4  11... c5a7  12. f1g3  12... e7g6  13. h2h3 White's center is impressive, and he has the better  chances. 13... c7c6  14. b5d3  14... a5a4  15. c1e3  15... f8e8  16. d1c2  16... b7b5  17. b2b4 A good novelty. So wants to fix the queenside that is Black's territory and then  shift to the kingside. 17... a4b3 An a serious inaccuracy in return. Carlsen wants to generate counterplay along the a-file and possibly swap the rooks there, but fails  short by a critical tempo. 18. a2b3  18... d8c7  19. a1a6 White is the one to use the open file. 19... c7b7  20. e1a1 The simple tripling of the major pieces is a deadly threat for  Black. Therefore, he needs to step on the mined square with his bishop: 20... a7b6 And it seems this will work as the second white rook on a1 is now en prise in case of the capture on b6. 21. a6a8  21... e8a8  22. a1a8  22... b7a8  23. d4e5 So wins a pawn and in the process  prevents the opponent's castling. The win is within his reach. 23... a8a1  24. d3f1  24... b6e3  25. e5f6  25... e3b6  26. f6g7  26... g6e5  27. c2d2 Going for the king at once. 27... e5f3  28. g2f3  28... g8g7  29. g1g2 An important move in So's plan.  White is unpinning his bishop, and it will be a key piece in the attack. 29... b5b4 The last chance! A second pawn is sacrificed, but the queen gains access to the kingside. Carlsen clearly understands that without  some help from the pieces, he will be mated. 30. g3h5 So is consistent with his attack. 30... g7g6 Surprisingly, this is not the best. 31. h5f4  31... g6h7  32. f4e6 Without this bishop, the end is almost there. 32... b4c3  33. d2f4  33... f7e6  34. f4f7  34... h7h8  35. f7f8  35... h8h7  36. e4e5 Pffff! Just a move away  from the win, So slips! 36... a1d1 The d3-square is covered, there is no more mate, and Carlsen  is suddenly out of the woods! 37. f8f7  37... h7h8  38. f7e8  38... h8h7  39. e8d7  39... h7h8  40. d7c8  40... h8g7  41. c8d7  41... g7h8  42. d7e8  42... h8g7  43. e8e7  43... g7h8  44. e7e6 Frustrated, So  keeps playing for a win, but now he will be the only one to risk. 44... d1d4 The world champion is taking his chance at once. 45. e6e8  45... h8g7  46. e8e7  46... g7g8  47. e7e6  47... g8g7  48. e6f6 