Artemiev
Aronian
Artemiev
 
Aronian
 
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
7
13 turns without comments
7

A smart approach by Aronian here, as a draw plays right into his hands from the match perspective. He's already liquidated one set of minor pieces, and now another is on the way?!

-06:-35 Ne4
8
8
2 turns without comments
9

Artemiev has the better slice of the center, so now it's all about finishing his development.

g3
9
11
5 turns without comments
12

Slotting the bishop back is a typical idea. Artemiev wants to argue that having the two bishops will give him a tidy edge long term.

00:20 Be1
12
14
4 turns without comments
14

Aronian finding ways to force more pieces off the board.

-04:-15 Nec5
15
18
7 turns without comments
18

Patient play here from Levon, bringing his last piece towards the center.

00:-31 Rfd8
19

Sort of a game of cat and mouse here. Artemiev has more pawn pushes available to him and needs to play active. But Aronian is waiting to see if when the pushes come he can capitalize on some weaknesses left behind.

00:53 Qd2
19
20
3 turns without comments
21

Definitely more comfortable for Artemiev here, who's handling the middlegame well. More space and some pressure against the structure coming up.

02:04 Rfd1
21
23
4 turns without comments
23

Artemiev playing with the queenside tension. If Aronian kicks away his knight, he'll leave his other queenside pawn a bit weaker and an easier target long term.

00:-49 Qb7
24
27
7 turns without comments
27

Artemiev has an amazing rook sacrifice in order to take a commanding advantage. Super hard to spot though...

02:10 Nd6
28

a great practical choice!

Instead of complicating matters tactically, Artemiev spots that he can drop the knight back and pressure Aronian's central pawn. The reason that one can't move is because the knight would fall.

-01:00 Nc3
28
1 turn without comment
29

Artemiev has sniped a pawn! He's on track to level the match here!

-01:-44 cxd5
29
32
7 turns without comments
33

That's the reason why Artemiev dropped his queen back on move 31. He wanted to make space for his rook to take that square in this line.

04:50 Rd2
33
34
3 turns without comments
35

game over!?

I'm not sure if Aronian is going to even want to continue here. Artemiev has dismantled him with this knock-out punch. Now he will win both of his rooks to end up a huge amount of material.

--

Indeed, after a few seconds thinking, Aronian resigns. That was a crushing win, with Aronian just unable to keep his somewhat cagey pawn configuration along the first three ranks alive, against the constant pressure.

06:00 Nf6+