1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. b1c3  3... f8b4  4. e2e3  4... c7c5  5. g1e2  5... d7d5  6. a2a3  6... b4a5 [%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rarer move than the capture on c3, but one that is fashionable and has been played by several strong grandmasters, including Nepomniachtchi himself. 7. d4c5  7... d5c4  8. c1d2 Caruana preferred to exchange queens but got no advantage. 8... e8g8  9. e2g3  9... b7b6 [%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 10. f1c4  10... b6c5  11. e1g1  11... b8d7 The position has stabilized, and the middlegame begins. White has a better pawn structure, but Black has free piece development. The game is balanced.