1. c2c4  1... e7e5  2. b1c3  2... f8b4  3. c3d5  3... b4e7  4. g1f3  4... d7d6  5. d2d4  5... g8f6  6. d5c3 White has more space and is unwilling to trade. This move  is highly appreciated by the former world champion. Nepomniachtchi is  deviating from a recent game. 6... e5d4  7. f3d4  7... d6d5  8. c1f4  8... e8g8  9. e2e3  9... a7a6  10. d4f3 Another mysterious knight  retreat, which is heading for a QGD-type of position. 10... c7c6 After a lengthy thought Black decided to go for a seemingly slightly inferior  endgame. Now Anand has some extra tempos in comparison to the usual QGD  positions, but they do not count for much. 11. c4d5 Played without hesitation. 11... f6d5  12. c3d5  12... d8d5  13. d1d5  13... c6d5  14. e1c1 White looks slightly  better as the isolated pawn as a rule is a liability in the endgame.  However, Anand manages to keep the balance thanks to his active pieces. 14... b8c6  15. f4g5  15... f7f6 It is important to preserve the dark-squared bishop. 16. g5f4  16... c8e6  17. c1b1  17... a8c8  18. a2a3 In the following phase of the game both sides try to  place their pieces optimally. 18... f8d8  19. f1d3  19... e7c5  20. h1e1  20... g8f7  21. f4g3  21... c5b6  22. d3c2  22... h7h5  23. h2h3 Another provocative move by Nepomniachtchi. 23... c6e7  24. c2b3  24... g7g5 Anand goes for a forcing line. 25. h3h4  25... g5g4  26. f3d4  26... b6d4  27. d1d4  27... e7c6  28. d4f4  28... d5d4 The point behind Black's play. He is getting rid  of the isolani. 29. b3e6  29... f7e6  30. e3d4  30... e6f7  31. f2f3  31... g4f3  32. f4f3  32... c6d4  33. f3f4  33... d4e6  34. f4f3  34... e6d4  35. f3f4  35... d4b3 After  repeating twice, Anand decided to give the position a try, despite the  time deficit on his clock. The main reason is the fixed white pawn on h4  (on the color of his bishop). Further, the g-pawn might follow and soon  land on a dark square as well. 36. g3f2  36... c8c4 A pair of rooks should be  traded to secure a passage for the king. 37. f4c4  37... b3d2  38. b1c2  38... d2c4  39. e1e2  39... c4e5  40. f2e1  40... f7e6  41. a3a4 Nepomniachtchi is seeing in the future is  well and prepares queenside counterplay. 41... d8d6  42. g2g3 It made  sense that White avoid this move, at least for the time being.