1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. b1c3  3... d7d5  4. c4d5  4... e6d5  5. c1g5  5... f8b4 Both players needed to win, so this is a fitting opening: chances for both sides in a difficult strategic battle. 6. e2e3  6... h7h6  7. g5h4  7... g7g5  8. h4g3  8... f6e4  9. d1c2  9... h6h5  10. f2f3  10... e4g3  11. h2g3  11... c8e6 This is a rare move, but it has been played by the champion of the Candidates Tournament. 12. f1d3  12... c7c6 This is probably not the most accurate move. 13. e1c1  13... b8d7  14. f3f4 [%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The first new move of the game and one that poses practical problems for Black. 14... e6g4 White was threatening f4-f5, trapping the bishop. 15. g1f3  15... d8e7 [%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 16. e3e4 [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black will regret not having exchanged the pawns on f4. 16... b4c3 [%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White gets a serious advantage after this move. 17. c2c3  17... g4f3  18. g2f3  18... d5e4  19. d3e4  19... g5f4  20. g3g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a difficult and brilliant move. 20... e8c8 A natural move, and during the game I thought Nepomniachtchi would play it. 21. d4d5 [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another difficult move. Capturing on h5 is worse. 21... h5h4  22. d5c6  22... d7c5 White has many tempting options now. 23. e4f5 A good choice. 23... c8b8  24. c1b1 [%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another accurate move. Caruana's play in the first part of the game is fantastic. 24... b7b6 [%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's clear that this cannot work, but Nepomniachtchi was probably already disgusted with his position. 25. d1d7 [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] There are other winning moves. 25... d8d7 Forced. 26. c6d7  26... h8d8  27. c3d4  27... c5d7  28. h1d1  28... e7c5  29. d4f4  29... c5c7  30. f4d2  30... h4h3  31. f5e4 [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 31... a7a5  32. d2d5  32... b8a7  33. d5f7 With superb play, Caruana has achieved a winning position. At this point, nobody had any doubts that he would win this game, but many adventures were still to come. 33... h3h2  34. f7h7  34... a7b8  35. a2a3 A good and practical move, giving some air to the king. 35... c7e5  36. h7h6  36... e5c7  37. g4g5  37... d8g8  38. d1h1  38... d7c5  39. e4h7 [%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's difficult to understand this move, but let's not forget that nerves will play a big part in the remainder of the game. 39... g8g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi is quick to spot defensive resources. 40. h6g5  40... c7h7 The time trouble has come to an end. Even with time on the clock, however, Caruana makes a big calculation mistake. 41. b1a1 [%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This lets the win slip away. 41... h7c2 [%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This was probably missed by Caruana. The knight is coming to b3 with check, and surprisingly it's a draw now. 42. g5g8  42... b8a7  43. a1a2  43... a5a4 [%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixing the pawn structure and giving support for the knight on the b3-square. But things are still not simple. 44. f3f4  44... c5b3 [%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows a winning advantage for White again. 45. g8g7 [%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 45... a7a6  46. g7c3 The queen is back to the defense. 46... c2g2  47. c3c4  47... a6b7  48. h1e1 [%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook joins the attack. 48... b3c5  49. c4f1 [%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Caruana is again playing very well. 49... g2d5  50. a2b1 