[Event "Clutch Chess The Champions"] [Site "https://lichess.org/broadcast/2025-clutch-chess-champions-showdown/round-2--game-1/6ieTZmAJ/n4jugsj3"] [Date "2025.10.27"] [Round "3.2"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2737"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [WhiteFideId "2016192"] [BlackElo "2693"] [BlackTitle "GM"] [BlackFideId "46616543"] [TimeControl "10+5"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "E46"] [Opening "Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation"] [StudyName "Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown"] [ChapterName "Nakamura, Hikaru - Gukesh D"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/QEB7F2Xl/uoYWn2wt"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ChessLifeOnline"] [Orientation "white"] 1. d4 { [%clk 0:10:08] } 1... Nf6 { [%clk 0:10:08] } 2. c4 { [%clk 0:10:12] } 2... e6 { [%clk 0:10:12] } 3. Nc3 { [%clk 0:10:15] } 3... Bb4 { [%clk 0:10:15] } 4. e3 { [%clk 0:10:19] } 4... O-O { [%clk 0:10:17] } 5. Bd2 { [%clk 0:10:22] } 5... d5 { [%clk 0:10:20] } 6. Nf3 { [%clk 0:10:25] } 6... c5 { [%clk 0:10:11] } 7. a3 { [%clk 0:09:27] } 7... Bxc3 { [%clk 0:10:13] } 8. Bxc3 { [%clk 0:09:31] } 8... cxd4 { [%clk 0:10:17] } 9. Nxd4 { [%clk 0:09:27] } 9... Re8 { [%clk 0:10:19] } 10. Nf3 { [%clk 0:08:49] } 10... Nc6 { [%clk 0:10:22] } 11. Rc1 { [%clk 0:08:46] } 11... e5 { [%clk 0:10:07] } 12. cxd5 { [%clk 0:08:42] } 12... Nxd5 { [%clk 0:10:08] } 13. Bb5 { [%clk 0:08:32] } 13... Bg4 { [%clk 0:09:13] } 14. Bxc6 { [%clk 0:07:15] } 14... bxc6 { [%clk 0:09:16] } 15. Qa4 { [%clk 0:07:19] } 15... e4 { [%clk 0:06:32] } 16. Nd2 { [%clk 0:07:14] } 16... Nxc3 { [%clk 0:06:28] } 17. Rxc3 { [%clk 0:07:14] } 17... Rb8 { [%clk 0:05:42] } 18. Qc2 { [%clk 0:06:53] } 18... Qd5 { [%clk 0:04:32] } 19. h3 { [%clk 0:05:53] } 19... Bc8 { [%clk 0:03:34] } 20. O-O { [%clk 0:05:27] } 20... Ba6 { [%clk 0:03:38] } 21. Re1 { [%clk 0:05:28] } 21... Bd3 { [%clk 0:03:39] } 22. Qc1 { [%clk 0:05:32] } 22... Re6 { [%clk 0:03:38] } 23. Nf1 { [%clk 0:05:05] } 23... h6 { [%clk 0:01:51] } 24. b4 { [%clk 0:04:59] } 24... Rb5 { [%clk 0:01:39] } 25. Ng3 { [%clk 0:04:22] } 25... a5 { Black has gained some space out of the opening (a Nimzo-Indian Defense) but the weak a- and c-pawns have been White's source of compensation. } { [%clk 0:01:19] } 26. bxa5?! { [%clk 0:03:07] } 26... c5! { Suddenly, Black's c-pawn is a strong passer, while White's a-pawns are both easy targets. } { [%clk 0:00:49] } 27. Qd2 { [%clk 0:02:50] } (27. a4 Rxa5 28. Ne2 { was an idea, aiming for the f4-square, daring Black to commit with } 28... g5 $15 { because Ne2-f4 would equalize for White, otherwise. }) 27... c4 { [%clk 0:00:28] } 28. Ne2 { [%clk 0:02:54] } 28... Ra6 { With ... c5-c4 achieved, the d3-bishop is firmly protected, so Ne2-f4 is less of a threat. } { [%clk 0:00:29] } 29. Nf4 { [%clk 0:02:51] } 29... Qe5 { [%clk 0:00:28] } 30. Rec1 { [%clk 0:01:26] } 30... Rbxa5 { [%clk 0:00:32] } 31. Qa2 { [%clk 0:01:29] } 31... Ra7 { [%clk 0:00:27] } 32. Ne2? { [%clk 0:01:27] } (32. Rxc4 { was practical, as } 32... Bxc4 33. Qxc4 Kh7 (33... Rxa3 { runs into } 34. Ng6! { aiming for a perpetual after, e.g.,: } 34... Qe8 35. Qxe4! Qxe4 36. Rc8+ Kh7 37. Nf8+ Kh8 38. Ng6+ $10) 34. g4 { leaves the e4-pawn vulnerable and dares Black to prove the utility of the rooks with pawns all on the same side of the board. }) 32... Kh7 { [%clk 0:00:19] } 33. Nd4 { [%clk 0:01:31] } 33... Qc5 { [%clk 0:00:20] } 34. Ra1 { Whit's pieces are miserably passive. The clock is the only thing going for White in this position. } { [%clk 0:01:29] } 34... Qb6 { [%clk 0:00:19] } 35. Qd2 { [%clk 0:01:31] } 35... Rb7 { [%clk 0:00:21] } 36. Rac1 { [%clk 0:01:04] } 36... Qa6 { [%clk 0:00:24] } 37. Ra1 { [%clk 0:01:03] } 37... Ra4 { [%clk 0:00:15] } 38. Qd1 { [%clk 0:00:50] } 38... Rb2 { [%clk 0:00:17] } 39. Qg4 { [%clk 0:00:51] } 39... Qf6 { [%clk 0:00:15] } 40. Qg3 { [%clk 0:00:55] } 40... Rb3 { [%clk 0:00:10] } 41. Rcc1 { [%clk 0:00:09] } 41... Rbxa3 $19 { After much maneuvering, Black won the a-pawn and, just as importantly, the clock battle. } { [%clk 0:00:11] } 42. Rxa3 { [%clk 0:00:13] } 42... Rxa3 { [%clk 0:00:15] } 43. h4 { [%clk 0:00:11] } 43... c3 { [%clk 0:00:19] } 44. Kh2 { [%clk 0:00:06] } 44... c2 { [%clk 0:00:22] } 45. h5 { [%clk 0:00:10] } 45... Ra5 { [%clk 0:00:24] } 46. Qg4 { [%clk 0:00:13] } 46... Qxf2 { [%clk 0:00:26] } 0-1