1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. g1f3  2... d7d5  3. c2c4  3... e7e6  4. b1c3  4... c7c5  5. e2e3  5... b8c6  6. c4d5  6... e6d5  7. f1b5  7... c5d4  8. f3d4  8... c8d7  9. e1g1  9... f8d6  10. d4f3  10... d7e6  11. b2b3  11... a7a6 Caruana probably didn't expect this move, since he had to take some time to think after seeing it. 12. b5d3  12... c6e5 All this was played fast by Nepomniachtchi. He must have studied this line during his world championship match preparation. 13. f3e5  13... d6e5  14. c1b2  14... a8c8  15. a1c1  15... e8g8  16. f2f4 If we consider that 16.h3 leads to a known position, then this is the first new move of the game. It's reasonable to assume that both players were out of book at this point. 16... e5c7 Black has many decent options. 17. c3e2  17... c7b6  18. b2d4  18... b6d4  19. e2d4  19... d8a5 If the f-pawn was on f2, and this is a big \"if,\" White would have a stable small advantage, although the position is totally defensible even then. With the pawn on f4, Black has good counterplay and no problems whatsoever. This, however, doesn't mean the position is drawn. The game continuation reminds me of one of the best Karpov games. Little by little, with patience, careful play, and never agreeing to a draw, Caruana gives a masterclass on endgame technique. 20. d1e2  20... f8e8  21. h2h3 [%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good prophylactic move. 21... e6d7  22. c1c8  22... e8c8  23. e2b2  23... a5c5  24. a2a4  24... a6a5 [%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 25. b2d2  25... b7b6  26. f1b1  26... c5a3  27. g1h2  27... h7h6  28. b1b2  28... a3e7  29. b2c2  29... c8c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has a comfortable position. 30. d4f3  30... c5c2  31. d3c2  31... e7c5  32. c2d3  32... g8f8  33. f3d4  33... f8g8  34. h2g1  34... g8f8 A tacit draw offer, refused by Caruana's next move. 35. g1f2  35... f8e7  36. d2b2  36... e7f8  37. d4c2 An important moment, as the character of the game now changes. White wants to bring the queen to e5. 37... f6e4 This is not necessary, and I think it makes the defense a bit more difficult.