[Event "FIDE Candidates 2024"] [Site "Toronto, Canada"] [Date "2024.04.18"] [Round "12.4"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2803"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [WhiteFideId "2020009"] [BlackElo "2727"] [BlackTitle "GM"] [BlackFideId "5029465"] [Annotator "Zaven Andriasyan"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C54"] [Opening "Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo"] [StudyName "FIDE Candidates"] [ChapterName "Caruana vs Vidit"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/4cmeeRC9/9mmBa465"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 { Caruana chooses his favorite Giuoco Pianissimo yet again. } 6. c3 a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. h3 Ne7 10. Re1 { Caruana opted for a typical slow-paced Italian game. Considering Vidit's struggles in the tournament, it was a strategic choice to stretch the game and play for a long battle. } 10... Ng6 11. a5 c6 12. Bb3 Re8 13. d4 d5 { Black wants to quickly equalize the position and avoid lengthy maneuvers. } 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Rxe5 16. exd5 Rxe1+ 17. Qxe1 Nxd5 18. Bc2 Be6 19. Nf3 { The position appears equal due to its symmetry, but White's pieces are well-positioned towards the Black king. Additionally, the rook can join the attack via a4 at any moment. } 19... Qd7 20. c4! { To gain some space advantage. } 20... Ne7 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. Qxe3 Rd8 23. Qc5 h6 24. b3 Qc7 25. Re1 { It's becoming clear that Black is struggling to establish their game. Their dark squares are weak and their pieces are passive. } 25... Kf8 26. Re3 Ke8 27. Qh5 Kf8 28. Qc5 Ke8 29. g4! { A strong prophylactic move! It takes control of the f5 square and frees up some space for the White king. } 29... Qf4 30. Kg2 Rd7 31. Re4 Qd6 32. Qe3 c5 33. Re5 Nc6?? { Caruana maintained pressure long enough for Vidit to make a mistake, and now he will capitalize on it. } (33... Rc7 { is better, but after } 34. g5! hxg5 35. Qxg5 Nc6 36. Re3 $16 { White is still maintaining winning chances. }) 34. Rd5! $18 Qc7 35. Rxc5 Re7 36. Qc3 Qd6 37. Rh5?! { This could spoil the whole game. } (37. Rxc6! { The best move suggested by Stockfish, however, it's hard to imagine anyone sacrificing a rook in a pawn-up position. } 37... bxc6 38. Qxg7 Qf4 39. Nd4 Kd7 40. Nf5 $18) 37... f6 38. Bg6+ Kd8 39. Qe3 Kc8 40. Qb6 Kb8? (40... Qf4 { promises a chance of a counterplay } 41. Rc5 { can now be met with } 41... Bxg4! 42. Rxc6+ bxc6 43. Qxc6+ Kd8 44. Qb6+ Rc7 45. hxg4 Qxg4+ 46. Kf1 Qxg6 { Equal per computer. Both Kings are open for checks. }) 41. Rc5 Bd7 42. b4 Qf4 43. Bf5?! (43. b5! Bxg4 44. Ng1! $18 { Another great computer idea }) 43... Bxf5 44. Rxf5 Qc7 45. Qc5 Re4 46. Qd5 Re2 47. b5 Nxa5 48. Nd4 Rb2 49. bxa6 Nc6 50. Qg8+ Nd8 51. Rd5 Ka7 52. Rxd8 { Under the mighty force, Black ultimately collapses. } 1-0