1. b2b3 The Larsen Variation shows up from time to time in elite games, although only in tournaments with rapid time controls. It seems they don't consider this starting move reliable enough for a classical game. 1... d7d5  2. c1b2  2... c7c5  3. e2e3  3... a7a6 [%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is meant to avoid the pin on the c6-knight. 4. g1f3  4... b8c6  5. d2d4  5... g8f6  6. d4c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Taking the c5-pawn in these positions is always a difficult move for me, even more so when the plan is to play a3-b4, moving the b-pawn once more. But the world champion knows what he's doing. 6... e7e6  7. a2a3  7... f8c5  8. b3b4  8... c5a7  9. b1d2  9... e8g8  10. c2c4  10... d5c4  11. d2c4  11... b7b5 The first new move of the game. Once more the theory was dictated by a game played on Titled Tuesday. 12. c4d6  12... c8d7  13. f1d3  13... d8e7  14. e1g1  14... f6d5  15. d6e4  15... f8d8  16. a1c1  16... d7e8  17. d1e2 Now White has a small advantage, with the bishops pointing to the black king and the knight being able to jump to c5. 17... h7h6  18. f1d1  18... a8c8  19. h2h3  19... a7b6 Black decides to await events. 20. e4g3  20... d5f6  21. d3b1  21... d8d1 