1. c2c4 Firouzja achieved an insane score playing the English Opening in the blitz part of the tournament. 1... c7c5  2. g2g3  2... g7g6  3. f1g2  3... f8g7  4. b1c3  4... b8c6  5. d2d3  5... d7d6  6. d1d2 This move looks funny, but it's typical in this line. White wants to develop with b3 followed by Bb2. 6... e7e6 All types of development are possible here: …e6-Nge7, …e5-Nge7 or simply …Nf6. All roads lead to equality, but in a blitz game that doesn't matter so much. 7. b2b3  7... g8e7  8. c1b2  8... e8g8  9. g1f3  9... d6d5 White's opening system is somewhat passive and this central push, even though the d-pawn is moved for the second time, fights for the initiative. Other plans are possible as well. 10. e1g1 Black is already better after this move. Since White's b2-bishop will be out of play in the coming moves, it's better to exchange it right now with 10... d5d4  11. c3a4  11... b7b6 Both the b2-bishop and the a4-knight are misplaced. Black has a clear plan with …Bb7,...e5 and so on. 12. e2e3  12... e6e5  13. e3d4  13... e5d4  14. a2a3  14... a7a5 Black is understandably worried with the b4-push, since this gives White counterplay. But after 15. f1e1  15... a8b8  16. b2c1 A very good plan, especially for blitz, where it's useful if you have a clear path of action. Firouzja wants to play Qd1 followed by Ra2-e2 and improve his pieces. 16... h7h6  17. d2d1  17... g6g5 Gaining space, taking the f4-square from the bishop and giving an extra square for the knight on g6. Yes, it weakens the king a little. But there is always a price to pay, although it seems to be a small one for all the benefits. 18. a1a2  18... c8d7  19. h2h4  19... g5g4  20. f3h2  20... h6h5  21. f2f3  21... c6e5  22. f3g4  22... h5g4  23. a2e2  23... f7f6  24. e2e4  24... d7c6 Now Firouzja gets to play the best possible version of the exchange sacrifice. 25. h2g4 Here it goes. What a delicious move to play $1 25... c6e4  26. e1e4 White has excellent compensation for the exchange, with a pawn, the light squares and attacking chances. 26... e5g4  27. e4g4  27... f6f5  28. g4g5  28... f8f6  29. c1f4  29... b8c8  30. f4e5 Firouzja's play is effortless. His moves are natural and good. 30... f6g6  31. g2d5  31... g8f8  32. d1h5 