It's always very tempting to execute a double attack. The computer indicates
1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. g1f3  3... d7d5  4. g2g3 Nepomniachtchi goes once again for his now favorite Catalan Opening. 4... f8b4  5. c1d2  5... b4e7  6. f1g2  6... e8g8  7. e1g1  7... c7c6  8. d1c2 Shankland repeats the system Mamedyarov played in this same tournament, but now he decides to develop the bishop first, instead of playing 8...Nbd7. 8... b7b6  9. f1d1  9... c8b7  10. b2b3  10... b8d7  11. b1c3  11... b7a6 It looks strange to move the bishop again, but this is a typical idea. Let's not forget that White had to play the not-so-useful b2-b3 move in order to defend the c4-pawn, so it's not a big deal if Black decides to move the bishop again. This poses a problem for White: he will either capture on d5 and give Black space or sacrifice the pawn. 12. e2e4  12... d5c4  13. e4e5 This has only been played before in a blitz game. Probably Nepomniachtchi is still following his preparation. 13... f6d5  14. c3e4  14... c4c3 Black decides to give the pawn back, but this is a debatable position. 15. d2g5  15... h7h6  16. g5e7  16... d8e7  17. e4c3  17... d5c3 This natural move leads to trouble. 18. c2c3  18... a8c8  19. f3d2 A very strong move. The knight is heading to d6, and it's now clear why Nepomniachtchi decided to exchange the dark-squared bishops. 19... c6c5  20. d2e4  20... c5d4  21. c3d4  21... f8d8  22. e4d6 White is already winning. One more big success for Nepomniachtchi's preparation in the Catalan. But the game is not over yet. 22... c8c5  23. f2f4  23... f7f6  24. e5f6  24... e7f6  25. d4a4  25... c5a5  26. a4c6  26... d7b8  27. c6c7  27... a5c5  28. c7a7 Black's position seems to be collapsing, but Shankland fights like a lion. 28... a6d3 A great move, disrupting the harmony of White's pieces.