2662 2022 · Black wins (resignation, time or agreement)
Fabiano Caruana, America’s number one, came within a whisker of the world title in 2018: twelve classical games against Carlsen, twelve draws, before falling in the rapid tiebreak. Alexey Sarana, a fast-rising Russian, has built a reputation as a dangerous competitor in rapid and online play. The Old Indian, uncommon at this level, promises manoeuvring warfare rather than a theory duel.