1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... a7a6  4. b5a4  4... g8f6  5. d2d3  5... d7d6  6. c2c4 One of many possible variations for White on the Ruy Lopez with an early d3. 6... c8g4  7. h2h3  7... g4f3  8. d1f3  8... f6d7  9. c1e3  9... f8e7  10. b1c3  10... d7f8 A move that seems quite logical, taking the knight to e6. However, this position is yet another case that when in doubt, castling is best. 11. c3e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong new move, almost certainly discovered by Nakamura over the board and not as a result of home preparation. White is ready to play d3-d4 and will get a comfortable advantage. 11... f8e6  12. d3d4  12... e5d4  13. e2d4  13... e6d4  14. e3d4  14... e8g8  15. a4c6  15... b7c6  16. a1d1 White's advantage is not decisive, far from it, but it's the kind of position that grandmasters love. A pressure \"for free\" without risks. The worst that can happen, if Black defends very well, is a draw. Based on this, we can say that the opening was a success for Nakamura. The advantage is due to what will be the main strategic theme throughout the game: pawn structure. For now, White has a space advantage and a more compact structure with only two islands. 16... f8e8  17. e1g1  17... e7f6 During my analysis I looked for alternatives, but it's very likely that Sevian's move is really the best. 18. c4c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] More accurate than the immediate exchange on f6. 18... e8e6  19. d4f6  19... d8f6  20. f3f6  20... g7f6 [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This one I really don't like, although I'm certainly biased by what will happen later in the game. 21. f2f3  21... a8b8  22. f1f2  22... b8b5 [%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The situation gets more serious after this mistake. Better chances are given by 23. f2c2 [%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 23... d6c5  24. d1d7  24... e6d6  25. d7c7 With such a horrible pawn structure, I think it's safe to say that Black is already lost. 25... c5c4  26. g1f2  26... b5b6  27. f2e3  27... g8g7  28. c7a7 [%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nakamura plays with computer precision. This move enslaves the black rook and guarantees a possible plan with a2-a4. 28... d6d3  29. e3f4  29... d3d4  30. h3h4 [%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There's no reason to rush, as there's no counterplay for Black. Advancing the kingside pawns is a good idea. 30... g7g6  31. h4h5  31... g6g7  32. a7a8  32... h7h6  33. a2a4 [%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 33... c6c5  34. a4a5  34... b6c6  35. a8b8  35... g7h7 The rook is ready to go to b6. 36. f4e3  36... h7g7  37. e3e2 The point of this king withdrawal becomes clear in a moment. 37... c6e6  38. g2g4  38... e6c6  39. c2d2 [%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. White plays without prejudice: the rooks will be exchanged, and this theoretically improves Black's structure, but in chess, calculation takes precedence over aesthetics. 39... c6c7  40. b8b6  40... c7d7  41. d2d4  41... c5d4  42. b6a6 White wins a pawn, but not only that: the horrible structure on the kingside means the king cannot move. This will be exploited, and Black will soon find himself in zugzwang. This term is very well known in chess and signifies a situation in which every possible move worsens your position. You would prefer to pass, something that is not allowed in chess. I never get tired of admiring the genius of those who create and improve the rules of our beloved game. 42... d7c7  43. a6d6  43... c7b7  44. d6b6  44... b7c7  45. a5a6  45... c4c3  46. b2c3  46... c7c3  47. a6a7  47... c3a3  48. b6b7 That's it: zugzwang is approaching. The king cannot move, either to a check on b8 or because the f7-pawn falls. If the rook leaves the third rank, then White's king advances. 48... a3e3  49. e2d2  49... e3a3 