Erigaisi
Nepo
Erigaisi
 
Nepo
 
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
17
33 turns without comments
17

Nepo's position is solid here, but with the nature of the pawn structures being chaotic, we are sure to have a full fight here. One remarkable aspect of Erigaisi's play is his willingness to go into such a complex fight, even when he is ahead by a point in the match.

-06:-24 Nf6
18

??MISTAKE??

Wrong route for the knight! Arjun's knight is on a wrong path here, reaching a square from where it doesn't have much of a scope anyway. Now, Nepo takes over the initiative.

01:50 Nb3
18
20
4 turns without comments
20

!!GREAT MOVE!!

The black queen is enjoying herself on the middle of the board! It is only a matter of time before Nepo is going to win material. Where is Erigaisi's counterplay going to come from?

-04:-44 Qe4
21
23
5 turns without comments
23

Classic endgame play by Nepo! Except for his bishop, all his pieces are soon bound to come out to attack, poking holes in White's position.

01:53 Kd7
24
25
3 turns without comments
25

!!GREAT MOVE!!

It must be especially pleasing to exchange the worst placed piece on the board. Nepo is on a roll here, as White has weaknesses all over the board here in his pawn structure.

02:06 Bd8
26
29
7 turns without comments
29

black has started collecting material!!

Not only is he facing the heat on the board, Arjun is down on material too, thus staring at a certain defeat.

00:14 Nxd5
30
1 turn without comment
30

!!GREAT MOVE!!

Nepo gives up an exchange, creating a monster passed pawn on the second rank. White's rooks will not be able o command any respect in the remainder of the game.

01:45 bxc3
31
34
7 turns without comments
34

Erigaisi resigns, about to lose his rooks thanks to a cute knight fork on the board.

A surprisingly one sided game, where Erigaisi was unrecognisable. Coming as it does immediately after a loss, you have got to admire Nepo's guts!

Now, we move on to the fourth and final game, which will decide the winner of the match.

01:43 Rb2+