Stuck at Your Current Rating?
Signup for free to join thousands of players who improved their game with our personalized tips and analysis
fabianocaruana vs DenLaz
winTable of Contents
Game Navigator
Game Snapshot
King's Pawn Game
Crucial Positions
| move # | position | classification | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Move #:
15
Move:
exd4
pawn break
Midgame pawn break with negative eval swing
|
15 | exd4 | pawn break | Midgame pawn break with negative eval swing |
WHAT HAPPENED Move Played: exd4 White chose 15.exd4, letting the e‑pawn capture the black pawn on d4. The pawn lands on d4, opening the e‑file but vacating e3. After the capture the pawn on e4 and the knight on f3 remain under fire: Black now threatens ...Nxe4 and ...c3, while the white knight on f3 and pawn on g4 are still undefended. The move also leaves the e‑pawn’s support of the d5‑square gone, allowing Black to increase pressure on the centre. WHY IT'S BETTER Engine suggested: Nxd4 Engine’s top move 15.Nxd4 (knight from f3) both removes the dangerous black pawn and develops a piece to an active square, keeping the e‑file closed and preserving the e‑pawn’s defensive shield. After Nxd4 White threatens the black queen on e7 and keeps the pawn on e4 protected, eliminating the tactical shot ...Nxe4. The pawn capture exd4 loses a tempo and creates the tactical liability on e3, which the engine avoids. KEY PRINCIPLE Develop with a purpose: When a pawn capture removes a defender and creates new tactical threats, prefer a piece capture that develops and neutralises the opponent’s counter‑play. |
||||
|
Move #:
27
Move:
Nd2
blunder
Midgame blunder in equal position
|
27 | Nd2 | blunder | Midgame blunder in equal position |
WHAT HAPPENED Move Played: Nd2 White played 27.Nd2, retreating the knight from f3 to d2. This move abandons the attack on the black knight on e4 and does nothing to address Black’s immediate threat of ...c3, which attacks the white pawn on c3. Consequently White loses the pawn on c3 after ...c3, and the chance to win the knight on e4 disappears. The position after Nd2 leaves White with no compensation for the material loss. WHY IT'S BETTER Engine suggested: g5 Engine recommends 27.g5! forcing ...Nxg5 and opening lines against Black’s king while maintaining the attack on the e4‑knight. The pawn thrust creates concrete threats (e.g., hxg5, Qg7# ideas) that Black cannot meet without material loss. By playing Nd2 White missed the tactical shot and allowed a simple pawn break that would have kept the initiative. KEY PRINCIPLE Never abandon a concrete threat: If you are already threatening a piece or a decisive attack, keep the pressure; retreating without a good reason can turn a winning position into a blunder. |
||||
|
Move #:
51
Move:
Bd3
blunder
Endgame blunder in equal position
|
51 | Bd3 | blunder | Endgame blunder in equal position |
WHAT HAPPENED Move Played: Bd3 White chose 51.Bd3, moving the bishop from c4 to d3. This passive move does not address the fact that the white rook on b6 is undefended and the black rook on a5 is ready to infiltrate via the fifth rank. Black’s immediate threat ...Rf5+ exploits the weak white king on f4 and the undefended pawn on f7, while White’s bishop retreat leaves the rook on b6 hanging and does nothing to increase pressure on c6 or f7. WHY IT'S BETTER Engine suggested: Rb7 Engine’s principal move 51.Rb7 puts the rook on a dominant seventh rank, attacking the a5‑rook, threatening ...Rb8# and targeting the weak pawn on f7. It also keeps the bishop on c4 where it eyes the d5‑square and supports the rook’s infiltration. By playing Bd3 White wasted a tempo and allowed Black’s active rook checks, losing the initiative. KEY PRINCIPLE Activate rooks on the seventh rank: In rook endgames, placing a rook on the opponent’s seventh rank creates multiple threats and often forces decisive material gain. Avoid passive bishop moves that do not improve the position. |
||||
Master Lens
What The GM Did Well By Phase
Opening
Middlegame
Endgame