With Hikaru Nakamura taking the lead after a masterclass victory in Game 2, the pressure now shifts squarely onto Levon Aronian’s shoulders. It’s Game 3, and he has the white pieces - his best chance to level the score and stay in the fight.
After a heartbreaking draw in Game 1 and a one-sided defeat in Game 2, Aronian needs to bring out something special. Will we see sharp preparation, creative play, or high-stakes risk-taking? One thing’s certain - he can’t afford to let this one slip.
The tension is rising. Can Aronian equalize, or will Hikaru tighten his grip on the match? Game on! ♟🔥
We’re seeing the Berlin Defense in the Ruy Lopez once again and guess what? Aronian is sticking to his guns, repeating the same novel idea he unleashed in Game 1! Clearly, he believes in the prep. Will it pay off this time?
Aronian finds an imaginative route to bring his rook into play, aiming to generate activity and support his queenside push.
Hikaru responds with a pawn push of his own on the queenside, looking to counter Aronian’s initiative and fight for space in that sector of the board.
Both players are keeping things even - material is level, and time is almost identical. It’s a poised standoff, with tension bubbling beneath the surface.
Hikaru is looking to make the most of his bishop pair, but for full coordination, he still needs to activate his king and second rook.
With Hikaru’s king exposed in the center and his pieces still uncoordinated, Aronian seizes the moment with a brilliant move to exploit the imbalance!
What a comeback by Levon Aronian! After a tough loss in Game 2, he bounces back in style with a brilliant victory over Hikaru Nakamura in Game 3.
From the opening, Aronian played with purpose, capitalizing on Hikaru’s uncoordinated setup and central king vulnerability. With precise calculation and relentless pressure, he converted his advantage smoothly to tie the match 1.5–1.5.
It’s all square now and with one final game to go, the tension couldn’t be higher!