1.e4
e5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.Bb5
a6
4.Ba4
Nf6
5.0-0
Be7
6.Re1
b5
7.Bb3
0-0
8.c3
d6
9.h3
Nb8
The knight goes to d7 freeing the path for the c-pawn.
10.d4
Nbd7
With plenty of strategical ideas for both sides the Breyer Variation of the Ruy Lopez is a classical opening line, which Magnus Carlsen played many times before.
11.c4
Nakamura certainly relied on the surprise factor of this move. [In the vast majority of games White plays here 11.Nbd2
]
11...c6
12.Nc3
"I was very happy when I saw this move, as now I can conveniently close the position", said Carlsen after the game. [12.a3
would have kept somewhat more tension in the position.]
12...b4
13.Na4
c5
14.d5
In this close position the main battlefield is going to be the kingside.
14...Re8!?
A somewhat unexpected move in such positions. Usually in this structure Black is trying to prepare f7-f5 and therefore he needs the rook on f8 for that. However, Carlsen had another plan in mind - he wanted to transfer the knight to g6.
15.Bc2
Nf8
16.a3
a5
17.b3
The knight from a4 is coming to d3.
17...Ng6
18.Nb2
Bd7
19.Nh2
Now Nakamura improves the position of the other knight.
19...h6
And Carlsen is doing the same - the knight from f6 needs a square in order to prepare the favourable for Black exchange of the dark-squared bishops via g5.
20.Nf1
Nh7
21.Ne3
Bg5
22.axb4
axb4
23.Rxa8
Qxa8
24.Nf5
Bxc1
25.Qxc1
25...Bxf5
Continuing to exchanges pieces. Black wasn't obliged to hurry and could keep a comfortable position with 25...Qa6 - a move which Magnus, as he admitted, would have normally played, had he not been feeling tired.
26.exf5
Ngf8
Already around here Carlsen saw the possible repetition of moves and he just went for it without second thought.
27.Nd1
Nf6
28.f3
Qa2
29.g4
Ra8
30.Nf2
Qa3
White cannot really avoid the repetition. At this moment both sides must have been happy with the outcome.
31.Qb1
[31.Qd2
allows Black to improve with 31...Qb2
; while the only reasonable attempt 31.h4
can bring White nothing but troubles in the arising endgame mentioned by Carlsen: 31...Qxc1
32.Rxc1
g5
33.fxg6
Nxg6
34.Bxg6
fxg6
35.g5
hxg5
36.hxg5
Nh5
37.Ne4
Ra6
and with his rook on the open file only Black can play for a win.]
31...Qa2
32.Qc1
Qa3
33.Qb1
Qa2
34.Qc1
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