only_strong_moves vs hikaru

Hikaru followed the Modern Defense plan by fianchettoing his bishop with **1...g6** and **2...Bg7**, then played ...a6 and ...b5 to gain space on the queenside while keeping the king safe. By developing the knight to **8...Nd7**, then to **9...e6** and **10...Ngf6**, he placed his pieces on natural squares, prepared the central pawn break ...c5, and waited for White to overextend his pawn storm.

When White launched the h‑pawn advance with **4.h4** and later **13.h5**, Hikaru answered with the counter‑thrust **13...g5**, challenging White’s pawn chain and opening lines for his pieces (counter‑play). After the exchange sequence **15.dxc5 dxc5**, he opened the center, and the capture **16...gxf4** forced White’s bishop to recapture, exposing White’s king. The queen move **17...Qe7** connected the rooks and kept an eye on the e‑file. By playing **18...axb5**, he sacrificed a pawn to open the a‑file and activate his rook. The knight jump **19...Nc4** attacked the weak d2 square, and the follow‑up **20...Nxd2** captured White’s queen, winning decisive material. Finally, **21...Bxc3** took the rook on c3, completing the tactical sequence (material gain). These moves illustrate the principle of creating concrete threats and exploiting the opponent’s overextended pieces.