1. d2d4  1... e7e6  2. e2e4  2... d7d5  3. e4d5 As it happens with the London System, these days when White plays the Exchange Variation of the French, they might not just be looking to make a draw. Nowadays, it has become a playable option even for those who are fighting for the win. 3... e6d5  4. g1f3  4... f8d6  5. c2c4 [%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Changing the character of the game. 5... g8f6  6. c4c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Whoever says A has to say B. White takes the opportunity to gain space. 6... d6e7  7. f1d3  7... e8g8  8. e1g1 This position has already been reached in more than 100 games. 8... c8g4 This move scores well, but 8...b6 is critical. 9. h2h3  9... g4h5  10. c1e3  10... b8c6 This is a difficult move, connected with ideas of moving the knight to e4 in some positions, followed by putting pressure on the d4-pawn. But it's not clear that the knight is on the best square on c6. 11. b1d2  11... f8e8  12. d3b5 A very concrete move, moving the bishop again to explore the knight's position on c6. Firouzja will react well to neutralize White's idea. 12.a3, in order to play b4, or 12.Re1, to improve the rook, are possible alternatives. 12.Qb3 is also playable. 12... f6e4 [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the problem with White's plan: it loses control of the e4-square. 13. d1a4  13... e4d2  14. f3d2  14... e7g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move to exchange bishops and activate the pieces. 15. b5c6  15... b7c6  16. a1e1  16... g5e3  17. e1e3 At first, I thought taking with the pawn was more natural since the rook already defends the e3-pawn. But exchanging rooks also has its merits since it's more difficult for Black to defend the weaknesses on the queenside. In either case, the position is equal. 17... e8e3  18. f2e3  18... d8e8  19. f1e1  19... f7f5 Firouzja is a very active player, and he follows his style. 20. a4a6  20... f5f4  21. a6f1  21... f4e3  22. f1d3 This is an importat moment. 22... e3e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This lands Black in a difficult position. 23. d2f3 [%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White returns the favor. 23... e8f7 [%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder. 24. f3g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I guess Firouzja missed this move. 24... f7g6  25. d3g6  25... h5g6  26. e1e2  26... h7h6  27. g5f3 White will have a monster knight on e5. 27... g6e4 Black must accept the fate of the c6-pawn. Trying to defend it leads to a hopelessly passive position, for example: 28. f3e5  28... a7a5  29. e5c6  29... a5a4  30. e2e3  30... a8a6  31. c6b4  31... a6g6  32. g2g3  32... h6h5  33. e3a3 [%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The wrong plan. 33... g8f8  34. g1f2  34... g6f6  35. f2e2  35... f6g6 Pressuring the g3-pawn is the only way to fight against the a4-pawn capture. 36. h3h4  36... f8e8  37. a3e3  37... e8d7  38. a2a3  38... g6e6  39. e2d2 [%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is actually a waste of time. 39... e6f6 [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 40. d2e2  40... f6f8 [%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent defensive move, making it hard for White to play Na2-c3. 41. b2b3 Now White gets a passed pawn, but it's a relief for Black not to have to worry about losing the a-pawn. 41... a4b3  42. e3b3  42... e4g2 [%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] 43. b3e3  43... g2e4  44. b4a2 [%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight finally goes to c3. 44... f8b8 