1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. b1c3  3... d7d5  4. c4d5  4... e6d5  5. c1g5  5... f8b4 Both players needed to win, so this is a fitting opening: chances for both sides in a difficult strategic battle. 6. e2e3  6... h7h6  7. g5h4  7... g7g5  8. h4g3  8... f6e4  9. d1c2  9... h6h5  10. f2f3  10... e4g3  11. h2g3  11... c8e6 This is a rare move, but it has been played by the champion of the Candidates Tournament. 12. f1d3  12... c7c6 This is probably not the most accurate move. 13. e1c1  13... b8d7  14. f3f4 [%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The first new move of the game and one that poses practical problems for Black. 14... e6g4 White was threatening f4-f5, trapping the bishop. 15. g1f3  15... d8e7 [%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 16. e3e4 [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black will regret not having exchanged the pawns on f4. 16... b4c3 [%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White gets a serious advantage after this move. 17. c2c3  17... g4f3  18. g2f3  18... d5e4  19. d3e4  19... g5f4  20. g3g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a difficult and brilliant move. 20... e8c8 A natural move, and during the game I thought Nepomniachtchi would play it. 21. d4d5 [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another difficult move. Capturing on h5 is worse. 21... h5h4  22. d5c6  22... d7c5 White has many tempting options now. 23. e4f5 A good choice. 23... c8b8  24. c1b1 [%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another accurate move. Caruana's play in the first part of the game is fantastic. 24... b7b6 [%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's clear that this cannot work, but Nepomniachtchi was probably already disgusted with his position. 25. d1d7 [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] There are other winning moves. 25... d8d7 Forced. 26. c6d7  26... h8d8 