1. e2e4  1... c7c5  2. g1f3  2... e7e6  3. d2d4  3... c5d4  4. f3d4  4... b8c6  5. b1c3  5... d8c7  6. c3b5 [%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] As far as I know, this is the first time that Vachier-Lagrave has played this move, a recent attempt with few games yet, at least compared to the huge theory that exists in the Taimanov Variation. Firouzja, on the other had, faced this move in the Candidates Tournament. 6... c7b8  7. f1d3  7... a7a6  8. d4c6  8... b7c6 It seems that this capture is the best, at least that's the computer's opinion, and most GMs agree with it. 9. b5d4  9... f8d6 A move only played once before. 10. d4f3  10... g8e7  11. b2b3 A new move. It's useful for White to delay castling because one of the possible plans involves h4-h5. 11... e7g6  12. c1b2  12... f7f6  13. h2h4 [%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 13... g6f4  14. g2g3 [%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 14... d6b4  15. e1f1  15... f4d3  16. d1d3  16... d7d5 [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows White to close the center, reducing the potential of the dangerous light-squared bishop. 17. e4e5  17... e8g8  18. h4h5  18... f6f5 [%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 19. h5h6  19... g7g6  20. f1g2  20... a6a5  21. c2c4  21... c8a6  22. h1d1  22... b4e7  23. d3c2  23... b8b7  24. c4c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again, the best decision is to close the position. 24... f5f4  25. g3g4  25... b7b4  26. a1c1  26... a5a4 In a way, Firouzja and Vachier-Lagrave have very similar playing styles. Both are always activating the pieces and trying to attack something. It's no surprise that the pieces keep flying during this game, as neither of them wants to give up the initiative. 27. d1d4 [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right piece to put on d4. 27... a4b3  28. a2b3  28... b4b7  29. c1a1  29... a6b5  30. a1a8  30... b7a8  31. b2c1  31... g6g5  32. d4d1  32... a8a6 [%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move to activate the bishop with ...Be2. The question remains, what happens if White plays 33.Nd4 $2 33. c1b2  33... b5e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 34. d1a1  34... e2f3  35. g2f3  35... a6b5  36. a1a7  36... f8f7  37. b2d4  37... b5f1 [%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Always an active move $1 38. a7c7 [%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is one of the positions in which I feel uncomfortable criticizing any move from either player. From now on they play at an absurdly high level, even with little time on the clock. It turns out that the position is very complicated and mistakes would be inevitable even if it were a classic time control game. 38... f1h3  39. f3e2  39... h3g4  40. e2d2  40... f4f3 [%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 41. c2d3  41... g4f4  42. d2c2  42... g5g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 43. c7c6  43... g4g3 [%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 44. f2g3  44... f4g3  45. c6c8 [%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 45... e7f8  46. c2c3  46... g3g2 There are other moves, but this is good enough. 47. d3a6  47... g2h3  48. d4f2 [%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 48... h3h6  49. a6f1 The pieces go back in order to stop the f-pawn. Both players are down to seconds in a completely crazy position. 49... h6f4  50. f1g1  50... f7g7  51. g1e1  51... g7b7 [%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 52. c3c2 [%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 52... f4f5 [%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 53. c2b2 [%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 53... f5d3 [%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 54. e1c3  54... d3e2  55. c3c2  55... e2e5  56. b2b1  56... e5e4 [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] 57. c2e4 