Caruana surprises in the opening
An unorthodox opening choice from Caruana, who opts to avoid heavy theoretical variations. While this shouldn't pose objective issues for Duda, Caruana will succeed in getting an unbalanced position.
Caruana has managed to win the bishop pair from the get-go and has a clearly more comfortable position. Looks like a good start for Caruana, who gets the upper hand out of the opening!
Caruana's advancement in the center gives him a permanent advantage, as he has successfully gained a big space advantage. This is already uncomfortable for Duda, who simply lacks counterplay.
Duda keeps shuffling his pieces as he essentially has to rely on a mistake from Caruana to fight his way back into the game. While Duda has managed to keep Caruana's pawns in the center under control for now, Caruana is in no rush to find the killing blow.
While Caruana's position is very comfortable, he needs to find the correct way to break through. The next couple of moves will be essential for the American; a mistake in this critical phase could turn the game on its' head.
Caruana eventually makes a decision; this way to expand wasn't the best way forward. If Duda finds the correct way to plug the kingside, Caruana may end up losing his advantage!
Duda decides to keep the structure as is, and Caruana retains his advantage.
After the trades of pawns on the queenside, Duda is left with the weaker pawn structure. Caruana keeps pushing for a win, but a clear win is still not in sight.
Caruana eventually decides to trade away his bishop pair, and his objective advantage lessens as a result. Despite this, his space advantage still gives him practical chances in this game.
Caruana decides to simplify the position, but this has allowed Duda to stabilize. A draw is now the most likely result, but both players are getting dangerously low on time!
The group of death is soon underway! 💀
A brutal group is soon unfolding as Caruana takes on Duda in a clash of titans. Despite the fact that Caruana usually has had the upper hand in their encounters, the brutal time control with no extra time per move should be favoring the Polish speed demon.
No match is going to be easy for the players in this group, but Caruana will have to prove that he has what it takes to take the championship crown.