Nakamura, Hi – Carlsen, M.

2816 2025 · Draw

A 2025 Four Knights between Nakamura (2816) and Carlsen (2839), and a lesson in simplification. From 5.d4 onward the position liquidates: the minor pieces come off one by one, then the rooks leave the d-file after 16.Rxd8+ and 17.Rd1+. Black’s king stays in the centre, but there is nothing to attack it with: the queen settles for repeated checks, 20.Qa3+, 21.Qb3+, until 24.Qa3+ seals the threefold repetition. The engine found no turning point at all: 92% of White’s moves were at least good, 87% of Black’s, and the draw follows naturally. The takeaway: when both sides trade accurately, nothing ever tips — the half point is the position’s verdict, not a lack of ambition.