1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... a7a6  4. b5a4  4... g8f6  5. e1g1  5... f6e4 The open Ruy Lopez is one of the best defenses for Black, but it's not the most popular among the elite, so it ends up being a small and pleasant surprise for me to see it employed in the first round. 6. d2d4  6... b7b5  7. a4b3  7... d7d5  8. d4e5  8... c8e6 There are countless ways to face this variation as White. To the delight of the spectators, both players are very well-prepared, have new ideas, and are uncompromising fighters. The game quickly steers away from the beaten path, which in this opening can sometimes extend into incredibly long variations. 9. c2c3 Here there is the old dilemma: where to place the bishop, on c5 or e7 $2 Chess players have been trying to answer this question for decades, but the answer is still inconclusive. 9... f8e7  10. b3c2 Not the most popular move, but it has been played by elite players recently. 10... e6g4  11. d1e1 [%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The players continue in the latest fashion. This move comes as no surprise to Praggnanandha, who has faced it before. It's worth mentioning that another participant in the Candidates Tournament (Gukesh) has already played this position before as White. 11... e4c5  12. b1d2  12... c5e6  13. g1h1 [%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very deep move, following Gukesh's footsteps. The idea is to leave the g1-square vacant for the knight, preparing Ng1 followed by the advance of the f-pawn. 13... g4h5 [%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A precise move, played quickly. 14. d2b3 A new move and the first choice of the computer. White invites Black to capture the knight on f3, changing the character of the game. 14... h5f3  15. g2f3  15... e7g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to justify the previous move; otherwise, White just plays f3-f4 with a crushing advantage. 16. f1g1  16... g5c1  17. b3c1 Around this point the players finally started to think. 17... d8h4 A good moment to evaluate the result of the opening, which is a little subjective in this case. Objectively the position is even, as the strategic advantages of each side cancel each other out, according to the cold vision of the machine. White has the g-file and doubled pawns, which can be a weakness or a strength if they can be advanced. Black can break through with f7-f6, opening the f-file after castling. Both players seem relatively familiar with the position, as they showed great preparation. 18. g1g4 There are many alternatives. The position is rich and will probably be tested again in the future. 18... h4h5  19. c1d3  19... e8g8 A natural move, preparing to break with f6 or f5. 20. e1e2  20... f7f5 [%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 21. e5f6  21... f8f6  22. f3f4  22... f6h6 There are many alternatives to keep the game balanced. 23. f2f3  23... a8f8  24. e2f2  24... f8f6 [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 25. a1e1  25... h5f7  26. f2g3  26... h6h5 [%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Activating the rooks. 27. a2a4 The typical Ruy Lopez move can be played even at the most surprising moments, when play seems to be concentrated on the other side of the board.