1. e2e4  1... c7c5  2. g1f3  2... d7d6  3. d2d4  3... c5d4  4. f3d4  4... g8f6  5. b1c3  5... a7a6  6. c1g5  6... e7e6  7. f2f4  7... d8b6 The Poisoned Pawn Variation of the Najdorf was Fischer's and Kasparov's favorite. Computers are not capable of proving an advantage for White, but it takes courage and a good memory to play this line with Black, qualities that Vachier-Lagrave certainly isn't lacking. 8. d4b3 What should we call this: an Anti-Poisoned Pawn Variation $2 8... b8d7  9. d1e2 The development of the white queen on e2 is a relatively recent invention, and many players now prefer this square and not the old but also pleasant f3. 9... b6c7  10. e1c1  10... b7b5  11. a2a3  11... f8e7  12. c1b1 All these moves are very natural for both sides. Being the greatest living expert on the Najdorf, Vachier-Lagrave should have all this very well prepared. 12... a8b8 [%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing the typical pawn break with b5-b4. 13. e2e1 [%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Excellent prophylaxis. 13... c8b7  14. f1d3  14... h7h6  15. g5h4  15... d7c5 All this has been played before. The theory of the Najdorf goes very deep, especially in the 6.Bg5 variation. 16. f4f5 An interesting move, played in a correspondence game. 16... e6f5  17. b3c5  17... d6c5  18. e4f5 White has an interesting alternative: 18... e8g8  19. d3b5 [%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Both players are up to the challenge. 19... b7g2  20. h1g1  20... a6b5  21. g1g2  21... b5b4  22. c3e4 [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance. 22... f6e4  23. e1e4  23... e7h4  24. e4h4  24... g8h7  25. f5f6  25... g7g6  26. d1d3 Preparing the queen sacrifice on h6. The position looks really dangerous, but Black can survive with a series of forced moves. 26... c7e5 [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 27. d3h3  27... h6h5  28. g2g5  28... e5e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 29. h4f4 [%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Probably frustrated at having come so close to mate, Firouzja makes a serious mistake. 29... e2e1 [%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 30. b1a2  30... e1e6  31. h3b3  31... c5c4 [%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] 32. b3g3 [%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White is back in the game after 32... b4b3  33. c2b3  33... c4b3  34. a2b1 Now the queen can move forward on the e-file, and the game is over. 34... e6e1  35. f4c1  35... f8e8  36. g3c3  36... e1e4  37. b1a1  37... b8c8 [%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Using the theme of the back-rank mate. 38. g5g1  38... e4d4  39. g1g3  39... c8c3 