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. 12. d1c2  12... c8b7 The eternal question \"Which rook to play $2\" is always difficult to answer. It's natural to place the rooks on the d- and c-files, but the rook on f1 also fulfills a defensive function at the moment. 13. f1d1  13... d8e7 A natural move that turns out to be a novelty. 14. c4e2 A good move, removing the bishop before it's attacked by a knight on e5. It also avoids a possible ...Ng4. 14... a5c7  15. c3b5  15... c7b8  16. d2a5 Grischuk plays creative chess, a trademark of his style. 16... d7e5  17. a1c1  17... f8c8  18. c2d2 This is White's idea: the bishop on a5 plays an important role and may even go to d8. White also prepares a possible knight jump to d6. 18... b7d5 Nepomniachtchi blocks the d-file and prepares the bishop path to b3. 19. b5c3  19... d5b3  20. a5d8 [%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop fulfills its destiny. 20... e7f8 [%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This mistake allows White to achieve a dangerous attack. 21. d8f6  21... g7f6  22. d1f1 [%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Grischuk misses a good chance. 22... c8d8  23. d2e1  23... f6f5 It's important to keep the knights from going to e4. 24. f2f4  24... e5d3 