Nihal captures the pawn in the center creating a very different situation from the most common lines. This decision gives him an extra pawn for now, but with less control over the center. While Bluebaum is likely to win back the pawn at a later stage, it will take some time to do so.
Bluebaum wins back the pawn that was lost earlier while getting his bishop into play.
Nihal's break in the center allows him to break down Bluebaum's pawn structure, now giving him an isolated pawn. This pawn gives him short-term control over the middle of the board and a space advantage, but may become a target for Nihal at a later stage.
Play up to this point is well known, with both players still walking down a known path of this opening.
Nihal plays an uncommon move at this point, looking to expand on the queenside if allowed while controlling a key square for Bluebaum's knight. This, however, is likely to be met by Bluebaum moving his knight to a powerful square in the center, restricting Nihal's own knight from entering the game without downsides to his pawn structure.
Judging by Nihal's speed, this is very likely an opening preparation. The question is now what Nihal has planned to meet Bluebaum's seemingly simple plan to gain a positional advantage.
Bluebaum continues his normal way forward, trading his knight to cause damage to Nihal's pawn structure on the queenside. Nihal's extra pawn move seemingly is now just a waste of a move, and Bluebaum should have a slightly better position.
On a positive note, Nihal's newfound grip over the dark squares allows him to gain a strong square for his knight in addition to hindering Bluebaum from getting rid of his own structural deficit in the short term. This is already a completely fresh position at the top level, and we're in for a strategic battle!
Bluebaum makes one of the most natural moves in the position, getting his queen out while at the same time preventing Nihal from getting his bishop out to its most natural square.
Play now heavily revolves around the queenside as Nihal needs to find a way to gain activity with his bishop. For now, it lacks anyway to get into the game.
Both players have their structural deficits, creating targets on both sides of the board. While Bluebaum has the opportunity to create threats against Nihal's pawn on the queenside, his pawn in the center becomes difficult to defend as well.
This strategically complex position offers many ways forward for both players, and Nihal's preparation seems to have given him chances to generate counterplay. While the position is objectively equal, Bluebaum's position offers him a slight practical edge due to his space advantage and piece activity.
Nihal continues development
After his first significant think of this game, Nihal eventually decides to get his light-squared bishop into play. Nihal will now be able to get rid of his weakest piece by force, as Bluebaum is forced to trade bishops one way or another. His pawn weakness remains, however, and Bluebaum will be able to maintain an initiative on the queenside.
The tension remains as Nihal now threatens to capture Bluebaum's dark-squared bishop. While capturing it would repair his pawn structure, the change would also allow Nihal's rook to enter the game and create an initiative.
As the bishop retreats, so does Nihal's knight. If Bluebaum decides to go back with his bishop, this game now has the opportunity to be decided by threefold repetition.
Bluebaum now has to decide whether he wants to go for a quick draw or to play on in an attempt to gain an advantage.
A repetition of moves is by no means guaranteed, as the position remains dynamic and unbalanced. While a pragmatic decision will allow both players to retain their lead, Bluebaum will hurt his chances to win the tournament overall by giving up his opportunity to play for a win with the white pieces.
The battle ended before it started!
Bluebaum takes the pragmatic route and opts to go for the draw in a slightly better position. Quite the surprising choice, especially considering that Bluebaum had a slightly better position.
Nihal and Bluebaum both retain their lead as a result of the choice, but for Bluebaum, going for pragmatic draws may end up hurting his winning chances overall in the tournament.
The two new tournament leaders face off!
Nihal's impressive play during the time scramble of yesterday against Maghsoodloo has completely changed the top rankings, as he now holds the throne together with Bluebaum, who's had quite an impressive tournament so far.
Now, the two tournament leaders face off in a fight for the top spot. After his impressive defeat of Erigaisi with the black pieces, Bluebaum seems to be in the shape of his life and should be able to get his chances against Erigaisi's countryman. Despite Nihal being most known for being one of the world's elite in faster time controls, he has shown himself to be a dangerous contender in classical as well. The players are evenly matched on paper, and we're expecting this matchup to be a close one!