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. 38. d3e4  38... d5e4  39. c2d4 White's knight is very strong, and his position is easier to play, but Black has an active queen and no weakness. 39... d7c6  40. b2e2  40... c5c3  41. e2a6  41... c3d2 [%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 42. d4e2  42... d2b4  43. a6c8  43... c6e8  44. c8c2 Nepomniachtchi thought for a long time here, an indication that he was not feeling comfortable with the position. He will start making mistakes now. 44... e8d7 [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] 45. e2d4 The position is already very dangerous for Black. The computer suggests giving up the e4-pawn immediately. But the computer is a machine, and humans have hearts—it's not so easy to part with what is yours. 45... f7f5 [%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] 46. c2c7 [%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is winning. Strategists say that the queen and knight work well together. This is a textbook example. 46... b4d2  47. d4e2 The b-pawn is lost. 47... d7e6  48. c7b6  48... f8f7  49. b6d4  49... d2a2  50. d4a7  50... f7g8  51. a7a8  51... g8h7  52. a8a5  52... h7h8  53. a5d8  53... h8h7  54. d8a5  54... h7h8  55. b3b4 [%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 55... e6c4  56. a5d8  56... h8h7  57. d8d1  57... c4b3  58. d1d7  58... b3e6  59. d7b5  59... h7h8  60. b5c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The a-pawn is not necessary. What White needs is to get rid of the annoying pin on the knight. 60... g7g6  61. f2e1  61... h8g8  62. c5d6  62... g8f7  63. d6d2 There are other ways to win, but Caruana's choice is safe and good. The b-pawn is enough. 63... a2a4  64. e2d4 Finally, the knight returns to its dream place. 64... e6c4 