[Event "FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:16:56"]
[BlackClock "0:31:02"]
1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00] Nakamura is true
to his bulletproof repertoire with Black.} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 5. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Be6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 8. Nb3 $5 {
[%emt 0:00:00] To me, Caruana has the best opening preparation (even better
than Carlsen's). He can play any opening and hit you from many directions:
straight forced lines or subtle positional ideas like this one. This move has
been played recently by Wesley So (among others).} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:00] This is
probably not the best move.} (8... O-O 9. Na5 Rb8) (8... a5 $5) 9. Na5 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:00] The point of the last move. The knight is surprisingly annoying
here.} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:00] Caruana said in the post-game interview that this
was illogical. Probably Nakamura was afraid to start the pawn race after 9.
0-0-0.} (9... O-O-O {It really takes a brave person to castle kingside with
this a5-knight and Caruana staring at you. I suspect he will just push the
b-pawn at some point and start a winning attack. That said, this was played by
Leinier Dominguez and he even beat Ray Robson with it.}) 10. Bg5 $5 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 11. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 12.
Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 13. d4 {[%emt 0:06:36]} f6 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 14. Qd3 {[%emt 0:13:41] Caruana said this move can't be the way. But
actually it's not easy to prove an advantage for White here.} h5 {[%emt 0:07:
12]} (14... O-O 15. Rad1 {with a nice advantage for White, thanks mainly to
the a5-knight $1}) 15. dxe5 $1 {[%emt 0:11:28]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:04:31]} (15...
fxe5 16. h4 {and now the knight has the g5-square after} g4 $6 17. Ng5) 16.
Bxe5 {[%emt 0:02:59]} (16. Nxe5 fxe5 17. Qc3 O-O 18. a3 Qg7) 16... fxe5 {
[%emt 0:02:11]} 17. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} (17. Qc3 {White could win a pawn with
this move, but Black gets very good compensation.} O-O 18. Nxe5 Qg7 (18... Bb4
$2 19. Ng6) 19. Nf3 Qxc3 20. bxc3 g4) 17... Rd8 {[%emt 0:14:33]} 18. Nxd6+ {
[%emt 0:04:44]} cxd6 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 19. Qe3 {[%emt 0:00:46]} g4 {[%emt 0:00:
50]} 20. Nd2 {[%emt 0:01:13]} a6 {[%emt 0:02:46] It seems as if Nakamura has
solved all his problems, but is this so $2 I am not so sure. Caruana is a
master when it comes to \"little\" moves that improve his position and keep
the tension.} 21. b3 $1 {[%emt 0:08:29] White waits to see where Black's king
is going. The move is useful to prepare c4 and advance the queenside pawns in
case Black decides to go there with the king. Or even to support Nc4.} (21. f4
{When watching the game live, I expected this straightforward move, but it
gives no advantage.} exf4 22. Rxf4 Kd7 $1 {The king goes to the queenside and
Black is ready to fight for the f-file.}) 21... O-O $2 {[%emt 0:07:49] The
wrong direction. Caruana was very happy after this move.} (21... Kd7 $1 22. c4
(22. Nc4 {Caruana said he would probably play this move, but it's not so scary
(with the engines on).} Bxc4 $5 (22... h4 {is the computer's move.}) 23. bxc4
c5 24. Rab1 Kc8 $11) 22... Kc8 {with a roughly equal position.}) 22. f3 $1 {
[%emt 0:01:41] Black's king is in danger now.} Qg7 {[%emt 0:01:46]} 23. fxg4 {
[%emt 0:03:28]} hxg4 {[%emt 0:07:52]} 24. Rad1 {[%emt 0:04:09]} d5 $6 {[%emt 0:
13:31] This makes thing worse.} (24... Rf6 {was better.}) 25. exd5 {[%emt 0:02:
54]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 26. Rde1 {[%emt 0:01:54]} e4 {[%emt 0:08:50]} 27.
Rxf8+ {[%emt 0:11:19]} Rxf8 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 28. c4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:47]} Re8 {
[%emt 0:05:01]} 29. cxd5 {[%emt 0:01:31]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 30. Nf1 $1 {
[%emt 0:01:09] Textbook play. We know how dangerously a queen and a knight can
combine when attacking the opponent's king.} Qe5 {[%emt 0:04:21]} 31. Qh6 {
[%emt 0:08:54]} Qg7 {[%emt 0:02:37]} 32. Qd6 {[%emt 0:04:24]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:10:
49]} 33. Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:49] Caruana plays all the best computer moves and
achieves a totally winning position.} g3 {[%emt 0:02:45] A desperate try.} 34.
hxg3 {[%emt 0:05:04]} (34. Rf1 $1 {is the most precise and didn't even cross
my mind during the live transmission.} gxh2+ 35. Kh1 Rf8 36. Nf5 {with a
winning attack.}) (34. h3 {is also very tempting.} Qe5 35. Qg6+ Qg7 36. Qh5 {
with a winning position.}) (34. Nf5 $6 {is not so clear.} gxh2+ 35. Qxh2 (35.
Kh1 $2 Qg5 $11) 35... Qg5) 34... Qe5 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 35. Qg6+ {[%emt 0:06:09]}
Qg7 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 36. Qd6 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Qe5 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 37. Qh6 {
[%emt 0:01:41]} Qxg3 {[%emt 0:02:34]} 38. Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Qg7 {[%emt 0:00:
34]} 39. Qh4 {[%emt 0:00:34]} (39. Qd6 $1 Qe7 40. Qf4 {was even better.}) 39...
Qh7 {[%emt 0:01:01]} 40. Qg3+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} (40. Qf4 $1 {wins.}) 40... Qg7 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Qh4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 42. Rd1 {[%emt 0:
00:00] A very good, human move.} (42. Nf5 {The computer suggest this move, but
things are much more complicated after it.} Bxf5 43. Rxf5 Re5 44. Qd8+ Kh7 45.
Rf4 Rh5 46. Rxe4 Qa1+ 47. Kf2 Rf5+ 48. Kg3 Qg7+ 49. Kh3 Rh5+ 50. Rh4 Qc3+ 51.
g3 {and White should win this endgame.}) 42... Be6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (42... Re7
{was the only chance.}) 43. Nd5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (43...
Bxd5 44. Rxd5) 44. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qh6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 45. Re1 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 46. Ne7+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 47.
Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 48. Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bd5 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 49. Nh6+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 50. Qg4+ {
[%emt 0:00:00] An impressive game by Caruana.} 1-0
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Duda, Jan-Krzysztof"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B44"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:17:35"]
[BlackClock "0:25:28"]
{Notes by GM Rafael Leitao.} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00] This was a very nervous
game and I feel both players felt the pressure of the first round in one of
the most important tournaments of their lives.} c5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]
} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. Bf4 $5 {[%emt 0:00:00] A
rare sideline that was actually played by Rapport in a recent game.} d6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Bd3 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} (7. c4 {This was Rapport's choice.} Rb8 8. Qc2 e5 9. Be3 Nf6 10. Nc3
Qc7 11. Be2 Be7 12. O-O {with a slight advantage for white in Rapport-Caruana,
St. Louis 2021.}) 7... Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 8. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00] It seems
Richard was caught by surprise and now he makes an already close-to-losing
blunder.} g6 $2 {[%emt 0:01:14] A big mistake.} (8... c5 {was natural,
preparing Nc6.} 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. Bc2 $5 Be7 11. Ba4 Bb7 12. Nd5 $5 {And this
looks a bit scary for Black, although the computer is not afraid.}) (8... Ng6
9. Be3 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Nc3 {with a normal game.}) 9. c5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:31]
Now the position is very bad for Black.} e5 {[%emt 0:21:16]} (9... Qa5+ 10. Nd2
Qxc5 11. Nc4 {with a winning initiative, for instance:} e5 $6 12. b4 $1 Qxb4+
13. Bd2 Qb8 (13... Qc5 14. Rb1) 14. Ba5 {and Black can resign.}) (9... d5 10.
Nd2 $1 (10. Be5 dxe4 $1) 10... Bg7 11. Bd6 {with a big advantage.}) 10. Bg5 $1
{[%emt 0:01:27]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:03:29]} (10... Qa5+ 11. Qd2 (11. Nd2 {is also
possible.} Qxc5 12. Bf6 Rg8 13. O-O {with winning compensation for the pawn.})
11... Qxd2+ (11... Qxc5 12. Be3 {traps the queen.}) 12. Nxd2 {with a winning
position.}) 11. cxd6 {[%emt 0:07:37]} Qxd6 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 12. O-O {[%emt 0:
01:08] White has a winning position due to Black's horrible pawn structure.}
Be6 {[%emt 0:06:12]} 13. Na3 {[%emt 0:04:51]} (13. Nc3 O-O 14. Na4 Rfd8 15. Be2
{was also very good.}) 13... Rd8 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 14. Be2 {[%emt 0:03:20]} (14.
Bc4 $2 {is a blunder:} Qxa3 $1) 14... Qxd1 {[%emt 0:03:47]} 15. Rfxd1 {[%emt 0:
00:43]} Rxd1+ {[%emt 0:01:24]} 16. Bxd1 $6 {[%emt 0:01:50] I was very
surprised by this move. To me, it is much more natural to capture with the
rook and this is the move that Duda would play automatically on his best days.}
(16. Rxd1 $1 {Black is just lost.} Bxa2 (16... f6 17. Be3 Bxa2 18. Nc4 Bxc4 19.
Bxc4 Nc8 20. Ba6 Nb6 21. Rd6) (16... h6 17. Nb5 $1 {is a nice trick.}) 17. Nb5
{The most precise.} (17. Nc4 Bxc4 18. Bxc4 h6 19. Be3 Nc8 20. Ba6 Nb6 21. Rd6
O-O 22. Rxc6 Rd8 23. Kf1) 17... f6 18. Nd6+ {and White is winning.}) 16... Kd7
{[%emt 0:10:09]} 17. Be2 $6 {[%emt 0:05:44]} Nc8 {[%emt 0:03:03] Now the
position is only slightly better for White.} 18. Rd1+ {[%emt 0:02:55]} Kc7 {
[%emt 0:01:27]} (18... Nd6 $1) 19. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:50]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:03:55]}
20. f3 {[%emt 0:04:04]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 21. Be3 {[%emt 0:03:46]} Bd7 {
[%emt 0:00:49]} 22. Be2 {[%emt 0:06:37]} h5 {[%emt 0:06:38]} 23. Nc2 {[%emt 0:
11:15]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:02:18]} 24. a3 {[%emt 0:01:05]} a5 {[%emt 0:07:57]} 25.
Kf1 {[%emt 0:10:49]} (25. b4 $1 {was better.}) 25... Be6 {[%emt 0:02:11]} 26.
Bd2 {[%emt 0:02:22]} (26. b4 Bb3 $1) 26... Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 27. Ne3 {
[%emt 0:00:57]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:02:45]} 28. Rc1 {[%emt 0:02:58]} c5 {[%emt 0:01:
38]} (28... Be7 $1 29. b4 axb4 30. Bxb4 Ra8 $11) 29. Be1 {[%emt 0:07:55]} (29.
Nd5+ Bxd5 30. exd5 Nf5 $14) (29. b4 cxb4 30. axb4 a4 $11) 29... Bh6 {[%emt 0:
06:13]} 30. Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:19]} Rd8 $2 {[%emt 0:01:24] Now White is winning
again.} (30... Kc6 $1 31. Nd5 Bxd5 (31... Rb8 {is also enough.}) 32. exd5+ (32.
Rxd5 Rb8 $11) 32... Kd7 33. Bxa5 Nf5 $1 {and Black has enough activity to make
a draw.}) 31. Nd5+ {[%emt 0:02:07]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 32. Rxd5 $18 {
[%emt 0:00:37]} Be3 {[%emt 0:06:59]} 33. Rd3 $2 {[%emt 0:08:25] Duda's final
mistake.} (33. a4 $1 Bd4 34. b3 {and White has a winning endgame. With the
bishop pair and a better pawn structure, he can slowly improve the position
until Black's position collapses.}) 33... Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 34. Rb3+ {
[%emt 0:00:38]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 35. Bxa5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:00:
37]} 36. Rb6+ {[%emt 0:01:27]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 37. Ra6 {[%emt 0:01:39]}
Rxa6 {[%emt 0:02:19]} 38. Bxa6 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Bxb2 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 39. a4 {
[%emt 0:00:34]} c4 {[%emt 0:01:26] And Rapport finally escapes with a draw.}
40. Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} h4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kc6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 42. Ba5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 43. Bd8 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 44. Kd1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 45.
Bb6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 46. a5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bf4 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 47. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 48. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
fxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 49. fxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxe4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 50. Kxc4
{[%emt 0:00:00]} Nd6+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 51. Kb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxh2 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 52. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 53. Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 54. Bb5+ {[%emt 0:01:09]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 55. Bb6+ {
[%emt 0:07:13]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 56. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 57. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:04:20]} 58. Bc5 {[%emt 0:02:35]} Nf5
{[%emt 0:00:46]} 59. Bb5+ {[%emt 0:02:06]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 60. a6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 61. a7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxc5+ {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 62. Kxc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 63. Bc6+ {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Kxa7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 64. Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 65. Kd4 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 66. Bxg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 67. Bh3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 68. Bxg4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} h3
{[%emt 0:00:00]} 69. Bxh3 {[%emt 0:00:00] Duda is surely regretting the result
of this game.} 1/2-1/2
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D24"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:34:30"]
[BlackClock "0:20:37"]
1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} b5 $5 {[%emt 0:00:00] A very
risky variation. This shows that Firouzja came to fight for the win with Black.
We like it $1} 6. e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Nxb5 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 8. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 9. Be2 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 11. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 12. a3 $5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (
12. b3) (12. Qc1) 12... Na5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (12... Bb7 13. Qc2 Na5 14. Rad1 {
was played in Mamedyarov-Caruana, St. Louis 2018. The game ended in a draw.})
13. Qc2 {[%emt 0:05:14]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 14. Rad1 {[%emt 0:08:43]} Ba6 {
[%emt 0:00:00] A novelty.} (14... Bd7 $2 15. Nd2 Nxe3 16. fxe3 Bg5 17. Rf3 {
was played in a Titled Tuesday game: Gunina-Pichot 2022. White is winning.}) (
14... Bb7 15. Bd2 (15. Nd2 $2 Nxe3 16. fxe3 Bg5 {Now the trick works: Black is
much better: Sviridova-Nutakki Internet 2021.})) 15. Bd2 {[%emt 0:16:45]} (15.
Ne4 {was also very natural.} Nxe3 16. fxe3 Bb7 $1 17. Nfd2 c5 $1 {with very
complicated play, for instance:} 18. dxc5 Qc7 19. Nd6 Qxc5 20. Qc3 Bg5) 15...
Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 16. Ne4 {[%emt 0:05:44]} Nxd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 17. Rxd2 {
[%emt 0:00:35]} Nf4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00] Firouzja prepares an exchange sacrifice.
} 18. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:04:38]} Rxb2 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 19. Qxb2 {[%emt 0:00:38]}
Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:00] This would make Petrosian proud $1 Black has good
compensation with the light-squared bishop ready to go to d5, supported by the
queen on a8} 20. Rc1 {[%emt 0:15:24]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (20... Nd3 {During
the live transmission I dismissed this move as totally unhuman. Who would
place the knight on c1 just to regain material $2 The computer, as usual,
disagrees.} 21. Qc3 Nxc1 22. Qxc4 Qd5 $1 {and according to the ruthless
machine, Black achieves equality.}) 21. Re1 {[%emt 0:02:45]} Qa8 {[%emt 0:19:
09]} 22. Qc2 {[%emt 0:01:46]} Bxa3 {[%emt 0:37:33]} 23. Nfg5 {[%emt 0:09:33]}
Ng6 {[%emt 0:02:01]} 24. h4 $1 {[%emt 0:02:56]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:24:09]} 25. h5 {
[%emt 0:08:13] Speaking of the machine, now Black has to find a very difficul
sequence to keep the balance.} Bxd2 $6 {[%emt 0:04:12]} (25... Bxe4 $1 26. Nxe4
Nh4 $1 {The right square for the knight. Now White's e4-knight is pinned.} (
26... Ne7 27. h6 {with a strong attack.}) 27. h6 Rd8 28. hxg7 Kxg7 29. f3 Nf5 {
with chances for both sides.}) 26. Qxd2 {[%emt 0:02:40]} h6 $1 {[%emt 0:04:00]}
(26... Ne7 $2 27. h6 {with a decisive attack.}) 27. hxg6 {[%emt 0:06:33]} hxg5
{[%emt 0:00:35]} 28. gxf7+ {[%emt 0:01:03]} Kxf7 $1 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 29. Nxg5+
{[%emt 0:00:36]} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 30. f3 {[%emt 0:04:47]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:02:
31] The king is safer here. White is better, but Radjabov was in time trouble
and allowed Firouzja to escape.} 31. Ne4 $6 {[%emt 0:01:45]} (31. Rc1 {was
stronger.}) 31... Bxe4 {[%emt 0:02:24]} 32. Rxe4 {[%emt 0:03:35]} (32. fxe4 Qc6
) 32... Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 33. Qb4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:03:09]} 34.
Qa4+ {[%emt 0:01:22]} Qc6 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 35. Qxa7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Ra8 {
[%emt 0:00:53]} 36. Qc5 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 37. dxc5 {
[%emt 0:00:31]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:01:13]} 38. Rg4 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Kxc5 {[%emt 0:02:
05]} 39. Rxg7 {[%emt 0:00:38]} Kd5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:49] The best practical
decision. The computer claims 39...Tc8 is also a draw, but why risk it $2} (
39... c6 $2 40. Rd7 $18) (39... Rc8 40. Rd7 Kb5 $11) 40. Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Kxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:00] This is actually very similar to
the endgame that Firouzja beat Mamedyarov in 2021. The draw is easy and he has
no trouble proving it.} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 42. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 43. g4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 44. Rf5 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 45. Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 46.
Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 47. Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ke7 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 48. Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 49. Re2 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 50. Re3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rb2+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 51.
Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 52. Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rb2 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 53. Ra6+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 54. Rh6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 55. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 56. Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 57. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rc3
{[%emt 0:00:00]} 58. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 59. Rb2 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 60. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 61. Re3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rb2+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 62. Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 63. Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 64. Rb6+ {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 65. g5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 66. Rf6+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 67. Rh6 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 68. Rh4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 69. Kg4 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 70. Kh5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 71. f4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} exf4 {[%emt 0:00:00] Another fascinating fight in
what was a delightful first round of the Candidates $1} 1/2-1/2