[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive mistake. After this, Carlsen stands no chance.
1. d2d4  1... d7d5  2. c2c4  2... d5c4  3. e2e4  3... e7e5  4. g1f3  4... f8b4  5. b1c3  5... g8f6 [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A modern alternative to the more popular 5...exd4. 6. f3e5  6... b7b5  7. f2f3  7... e8g8  8. a2a3  8... b4a5  9. c1e3 This natural move is a theoretical novelty. 9... c7c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This same position was played in the third game of the first match between them. On that occasion, Vachier-Lagrave chose 9...Nfd7, a move that is not quite in his spirit. I wonder if he had time to check the sharper variation with 9...c5 to play this game. 10. d4c5  10... d8e8 [%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to justify Black's play. 11. d1d6  11... c8e6 Both players were blitzing their moves in what was obviously preparation. Not only that: recently reviewed preparation. 12. e1c1  12... e8c8 The dance with the queen has a good justification. Black has prepared both ...Bc7 and ...Rd8. 13. c3b5 [%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a queen sacrifice. 13... a7a6  14. b5d4  14... a5c7  15. d4e6  15... c7d6  16. d1d6  16... f7e6  17. f1c4  17... f8e8  18. c5c6 This is incredibly long preparation by both sides, since the players had more time here than when they started the game. 18... e8e7 A curious material imbalance appears on the board: queen against bishop and three pawns. You don't need to be good at math to know that Black has the material advantage, but his pieces are not playing. Vachier-Lagrave always looks for the most active solution and decides to return part of the material. He still had this prepared. 19. e3b6  19... b8d7 [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 20. c6d7  20... f6d7  21. e5c6  21... e7e8 [%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Vachier-Lagrave finally forgets his preparation. At least it's good to know that he is (sometimes) human. 22. b6e3  22... c8c7  23. h1d1  23... d7f8  24. c1b1 The white pieces are very active and superior to the queen, but it's clear that the position remains very complicated. 24... g8h8  25. h2h4 Carlsen decides to calmly advance the kingside pawns. 25... h7h6  26. g2g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 26... c7f7 [%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I'm impressed by the French GM's ability to calculate quickly in very complicated positions, always fighting for the initiative and looking for active options. When I broadcast his games, I often expect the evaluation to fluctuate after a risky move, only to be shocked when I realize he made the move recommended by the machine. This happened many times in these two final matches against Carlsen. 27. c6e5 [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 27... f7f6 Attacking both the knight and the h4-pawn. 28. e3d4  28... f6h4  29. c4e6 [%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen is up to the challenge. This is possible due to the fork on g6. 29... h4h2  30. e6d5  30... h8h7  31. g4g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Carlsen rightly regretted this move. 31... a8c8 [%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This was certainly missed. Black threatens 32...Qc2+. 32. d6c6  32... c8c6  33. e5c6  33... h6g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A serious innacuracy. 34. d5f7  34... e8c8  35. d4e5 [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] 35... h2g2 White's pieces were uncoordinated now. 36. c6d4  36... g5g4 I was certain that Vachier-Lagrave would play this move, as it fits his style perfectly. 37. f3g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 37... g2e4 It's nearly impossible to resist the temptation of capturing this pawn with check. 38. b1a2 The bishop on e5 cannot be captured since White's rook can go to h1 in this case. Both players had just a few minutes left in this utterly complicated position. 38... c8d8  39. d1f1  39... e4g2 [%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Not even these calculating geniuses can find all the best moves with little time. 40. f1f5 [%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 40... g7g6  41. f5f6  41... g2g4 