[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this mistake, the game is over.
1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... g8f6  4. d2d3  4... f8c5  5. b5c6 Caruana is an expert in this variation. The resulting positions are often simple in appearance and complex in essence, with many strategic details. 5... d7c6  6. h2h3 6.Nbd2 and 6.0-0 are more common, but Caruana has played this move already in 2023. 6... f6d7  7. b1c3 This move, which seems trivial, is actually a little surprising. In most games in this line the knight is developed to d2, from where it can go to b3, c4 or f1. Caruana has another plan in mind. 7... e8g8  8. c1e3  8... c5d6 As I had warned, this variation is made up of small positional details. Who is favored by the pawn structure after the exchange of bishops on e3 $2 Should Black avoid exchanging bishops or can he play a move like 8...Re8 $2 Unfortunately, I don't have the answer to these questions. Neither does the computer: it just keeps evaluating the position as equal. Let's say, therefore, that all these moves are playable. 9. e1g1  9... f8e8  10. f3d2 [%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good plan. The knight goes to c4 and White can then think about d3-d4 or f2-f4. Caruana had already played all this previously. 10... d7f8  11. d2c4  11... f8g6  12. d3d4 A new move. Caruana had used some time by this point, so I'm not entirely sure that he expected this position before the game. 12... c8e6 A natural and good move. Black has many possible alternatives, ranging from the simple to the extremely subtle. 13. c4d6  13... c7d6  14. d4d5  14... c6d5  15. c3d5  15... d8d7  16. d1d3  16... e6d5 Not an easy decision at all. With bishop against knight, White has some pressure, although it remains unclear whether it's enough for any serious advantage. 17. d3d5  17... g6e7  18. d5d3  18... d6d5 [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has to play this before White can play c2-c4. 19. e4d5  19... d7d5  20. f1d1  20... e8d8  21. d3e2  21... d5a5 Necessary, since the a7-pawn needs protection. 22. e2g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move, activating the queen and posing practical problems for Black, who must find the only way to avoid falling into a disadvantage.