- Carlsen embraces chaos in gripping draw with Nepo
- As it happened: the move-by-move report from Game 2
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Nepomniachtchi makes a thematic central pawn break with 18. d4. A quick-fire exchange of pawns then knights follows (18. … exd4 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. Qxd4). Carlsen ponders the position for a minute and a half before electing for 20. … Be6, which is best. Nepomniachtchi is more than three minutes into his think now, eyes darting back and forward while shifting in his seat.
Some uneasy body language from Carlsen as he thinks for more than 13 minutes before deciding on 15. … a5, which is best. Any other move would have allowed Nepomniachtchi to occupy a5 himself with his pawn, knight or even bishop, forcing black into an uncomfortable struggle for space and control. Both step away from the board again and Nepomniachtchi returns first, playing 17. Bc3 after seven and a half minutes. A bit of commentary on the position from Nigel Short, the British grandmaster who famously challenged Garry Kasparov for the world title in 1993.
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Source: The Guardian