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. 22... a5a6 [%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this mistake, the game is over. 23. d1d8  23... a8d8  24. a1d1 Black is unable to protect his weaknesses. 24... d8a8 This is a really sad move, but it's difficult to suggest anything. 25. d1d7  25... e7g6 From now on, White has many winning continuations. Caruana plays with his usual precision. 26. g4f3 [%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking both f7 and b7. 26... a6a2  27. b2b3 [%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 27... g6h8 Another curious move, played out of necessity. 28. f3b7  28... a8e8  29. b7c6  29... h7h6  30. d7a7  30... a2b1  31. g1h2  31... e8f8  32. c6c4 Preparing to advance the b-pawn. 32... f8d8  33. b3b4  33... d8b8  34. c2c3  34... b8d8  35. c4a2  35... b1e4  36. b4b5  36... g8h7  37. b5b6  37... f7f5  38. a2a4 [%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Careful play. 38... e4b1  39. a4h4 [%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 39... d8d6 