[Event "FIDE Candidates 2024"] [Site "Toronto, Canada"] [Date "2024.04.07"] [Round "4.2"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2758"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [WhiteFideId "4168119"] [BlackElo "2727"] [BlackTitle "GM"] [BlackFideId "5029465"] [Annotator "Zaven Andriasyan"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C67"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Berlin Wall"] [StudyName "FIDE Candidates"] [ChapterName "Nepomniachtchi vs Vidit"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/4cmeeRC9/dgIOthTZ"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 { Vidit chooses the solid Berlin Defense, a popular choice among top-level players. Popularized by Vladimir Kramnik, this opening is known for its rich strategic depth and hidden ideas. } 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. h3 h6 11. g4 Ne7 12. Nh2 { A fresh idea from Nepomniachtchi! Instead of the usual development of the dark-squared bishop seen in previous games, he wants to play f4 and plans to recapture the pawn with the bishop in case of g5. } 12... g5 13. f4 gxf4 14. Bxf4 Be6 15. Ne4 b6 16. Nf3 c5 17. Nf6 Kc8 18. Kg2 { Occupying space with the king. These subtle moves are what distinguish a knowledgeable player from an average one. } 18... Kb7 19. Kg3 a5 20. a3 a4 21. Rad1 Nc6 22. c3 Be7 23. Nh4 { The position is completely equal according to the computer, but in practice, Black is struggling to defend. } 23... h5 24. g5 Ra5 25. Rde1 Rb5 { As the game progresses, Black's rook on the b-file will find itself out of play. } 26. Bc1 Rb3 27. g6 { White is gradually grabbing the initiative. } 27... fxg6 28. Nxg6 Rd8 29. Nxe7 Nxe7 30. Nxh5 Rd3+ 31. Rf3 Rxf3+ 32. Kxf3 Bxh3 33. e6 b5 34. Bg5 { While Black struggles to activate his rook, White is capitalizing on his passed pawn. Interestingly, the computer still evaluates the position as roughly equal. } 34... Nd5 35. e7 Bd7 36. Rd1 Kc6? { A crucial mistake! } (36... Be8) (36... Bc6 { These were the only moves that could allow Black to extend the resistance. }) 37. Ke4 { Now Black's position collapses in seconds. } 37... Be8 (37... Nxe7 { Was the last chance to fight for a draw. After Be8, the position becomes completely lost. }) 38. Rxd5 Bxh5 39. Bc1 Bg6+ 40. Ke5 b4 41. Kf6 Be8 42. Rd8 bxa3 43. bxa3 Bd7 44. Kf7 { White is threatening to take on d7 and promote the Pawn to a Queen. Black has no defense! Resignation followed. } 1-0