Duda
Caruana
Duda
 
Caruana
 
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
24
48 turns without comments
25

While we're closing in on an endgame, the position is not without danger for either player. Caruana has managed to gain a solid pawn structure, while Duda has a passed pawn in addition to being up the exchange.

Anything can still happen in this game!

-02:-06 Rg5
25
30
10 turns without comments
30

Caruana prefers keeping queens on the board, as trading down to a queenless endgame could give him issues due to Duda's strong pawn on the queenside.

As long as Caruana can avoid this trade, he should be able to get some attacking chances against Duda's exposed king.

00:-45 Qd4
31
33
6 turns without comments
34

??MISTAKE??

Duda goes wrong, leaving his queen offside! Caruana's attack may now become very dangerous, as Duda's queen cannot defend the threats against his king!

02:44 Qb7
34
07:07 Ne5
35
35
2 turns without comments
36
07:00 Qa8
36
40
9 turns without comments
41

LOW ON TIME!!

Duda is forced to give back his extra rook to avoid a deadly attack. Allowing this may have been a mistake from Caruana, however, as Duda gets his queen back into the game!

04:12 Qd4
41
42
2 turns without comments
42

??BLUNDER??

A huge blunder may decide the game! Duda can now trade off queens, allowing him to march his passed pawn up the board!!

04:01 Qb3
43

!!GREAT MOVE!!

Duda forces the trade of queens, allowing him to regrab Caruana's queen with check and creating an unstoppable threat with his passed pawn on the queenside!

00:21 Qd3+

A complicated game ends in Duda's favor!

A gigantic blunder from Caruana completely turned the tides as a single misstep allowed Duda to force a win by trading queens, and he is knocked down to the loser's match!

While Caruana managed to seize the advantage in a tricky endgame by trapping Duda's queen on the queenside, Duda managed to avoid a checkmate attack by the skin of his teeth. Failing to find a way to seal the deal, Caruana instead opted to grab material, a mistake that ended up being fatal for his position. Duda's massive comeback in this game ensures him a spot in the winner's match, where none other than Magnus Carlsen awaits him.