1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5 In a must-win situation Vachier-Lagrave chooses the most complex opening, the Ruy Lopez. 3... a7a6  4. b5a4  4... d7d6  5. e1g1  5... c8g4 Rapport's choice, on the other hand can be called anything but solid. The Improved Stenitz could not have been expected by him, as the Hungarian GM tries for the first time, at least according to Megabase $1 6. h2h3  6... h7h5  7. d2d4 After some hesitation, White opts for the main line. The pawn is offered in return for the control over the -g5 square. 7... b7b5  8. a4b3  8... c6d4  9. h3g4 Now White can grab the piece as he can block the black queen access towards his king. 9... h5g4 The older line. 10. f3g5  10... g8h6 All of this was blitzed by Rapport, and his opponent sank into deep thought. 11. g2g3 After more than half-an-hour on his clock, Vachier-Lagrave deviates from the main theory. 11... f8e7  12. f2f4 [#] 12... d8d7 But Rapport was not taken by surprise and quickly fired a novelty. 13. f4f5 Only now did Black start to think. 13... c7c6 More than half-an-our thought for Black too. 14. b1c3  14... d7d8  15. g5f7 More or less forced. 15... h6f7  16. d1g4  16... d4b3  17. a2b3  17... e7g5 The opening was a big success for Rapport, he equalized in full. 18. g1g2  18... d8f6 However, this is a slight inaccuracy. 19. c3d1 A pretty move $1 The knight lands on the optimal f2-square from where it will guard the white king forever. 19... g5c1  20. a1c1  20... f6g5 There is nothing better. 21. d1f2  21... g5g4  22. f2g4  22... f7g5 The beginning of a poor plan. 23. g4f2  23... e8c8  24. c2c4 Now Vachier-Lagrave skillfully starts to create problems. 24... c8c7  25. f1h1  25... b5c4  26. b3c4  26... a6a5  27. c1a1  27... c7b6 An automatic move, and a mistake. Rapport created a weakness on the queenside, and now allows a maneuver that would highlight the weakness. 28. h1d1 A move of a great master $1 28... h8h7  29. d1d3  29... d8h8  30. d3b3 This is why this rook should have been traded earlier. The white major pieces do whatever they want on the queenside, whereas the black rooks are easily stopped by the white only knight. 30... b6a6  31. b3a3  31... h7h2  32. g2f1  32... a6b6  33. a3a5  33... g5f3  34. c4c5 One more excellent decision in the time-trouble. Vachier-Lagrave is almost winning. 34... d6c5  35. a5a6  35... b6b5 Now after a few checks in the zeitnot 36. a1a5  36... b5b4  37. a5a4  37... b4b5  38. a6a5  38... b5b6  39. a5a6  39... b6b5  40. a4a5  40... b5b4 White finds 41. a5a3 which not only attacks the knight, but sets a mating net around the black king. 41... f3d2 The knight rushes to the resque. 42. f1g1  42... d2c4  43. a3d3 The proper square for the rook, b2-b3 is a major threat. 43... h2h6  44. a6a7 But that is a step in the wrong direction. 44... h8b8 Yet another piece comes to the resque. 45. b2b3 Missing one more chance. 45... c4a5  46. f2g4  46... a5b3 The culmination of the game, and the match. Rapport managed to organize his defense and is now looking for a speedy promotion. His previously iffy king is leading the army. And still, Black was not yet out of the woods. 47. a7g7 Only this finally lets Black off the hook. 47... c5c4 This passer will cost White deerly. 48. d3d1  48... h6h8 