Hikaru
Vitiugov
Hikaru
 
Vitiugov
 
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
11
22 turns without comments
12

Hikaru with his typical opening setups. He loves the fianchettoed bishop on the left hand side.

Nc3
12
15
7 turns without comments
16

Looking to make something happen on the queenside.

a4
16
17
3 turns without comments
18

Vitiugov in some trouble here. His knight forced to go passive...

axb5
18
20
4 turns without comments
20

The weeakening of some of the queenside squares seems minor for now, but could be telling long-term.

b6
21
22
3 turns without comments
22

Vitiugov hanging in there well. He's looking to bring his knight to a strong square next.

Nb7
23
25
5 turns without comments
25

Hikaru has pushed Vitiugov's knight back to a passive square, again reclaiming a large edge.

Qe7
26
49
48 turns without comments
50

Hikaru's got this one. Vitiugov can't even take the pawn in the center because of the check-block, forcing the queens off.

Qxd4
50
51
2 turns without comments