1.e4e52.Nf3Nf6Nepomniachtchi sticks to his beloved Russian Defense, but he's about to encounter a new weapon in his opponent's arsenal.3.Nxe5d64.Nf3Nxe45.d4d56.Bd3Bd67.O-OO-O8.c4c69.Nc3Nxc310.bxc3dxc411.Bxc4Bf512.Bg5Qa513.Nh4Be614.Bxe6Qxg515.Nf3Qa5The game seemed to be heading toward the well-analyzed Classical variation, but Praggnanandhaa delivers yet another surprise.16.Bh3!?...16.Bb3Has been seen many times in games of strong players like David Navara, Wesley So, Jorden Van Foreest, and Sanan Sjugirov. However, Pragg's chosen variation places the bishop on h3, hindering the development of Black's knight. Additionally, Pragg keeps the b3-square free for his rook.16....Qxc317.Rb1b618.Rb3Qa519.d5!!...This was already too much for Nepomniachtchi. The expression on his face changed, and he began to spend a long time making each of his moves.19....cxd520.Ng5...This knight move opens up the queen's diagonal and allows the rook to join the attack if needed. The white queen is already threatening to jump to the h5 square.20....h621.Nxf7!!...A brilliant knight sacrifice by Praggnanandhaa! Although the computer still evaluates the position as equal, Black has to be extremely careful with each move.21....Kxf722.Rd3Nd723.Rxd5Nc5?A huge mistake! The evaluation bar jumped up with this move. Stockfish evaluates the position as +3.23...Bxh2+This is the most accurate move! Giving back the piece at a higher price.24.Kxh2Nc525.Rd6Kg826.Qd5+Kh827.Qe5Qxa228.Rxh6+Kg8The vulnerable e6-square is securely guarded, and Black is still holding on!24.Rxd6Kg825.Qd5+Kh826.Bf5...Pragg spoils the whole preparation with a single move!26.Qe5was winning fairly easily. White threatens to take on h6, and Black cannot play Kh7 because of the Bf5 check. So the only move is...Kg827.Rg6Rf728.Rxg7+Rxg729.Qd5+Rf730.Qxa8+Kg731.Qd5With an advantage of almost +3, Praggu wouldn't have much trouble converting this into a victory.26....Nb727.Qxa5Nxa528.g4Nc429.Rd5Rae830.h3Ne531.Kg2g632.Bc2g533.Bf5Re734.Rd6Kg735.Re1Rf636.Rd5Ng637.Rxe7+Nxe738.Rd7Kf839.Be4a540.Kg3Ng641.Bxg6Rxg642.h4Rc643.hxg5hxg544.Rb7a4The position on the board is completely equal, and a draw was agreed upon. After White's disastrous 26th move, Black held the ground without much effort.1/2-1/2