2021 World Championship Match, Game 5

 Another day, another Anti-Marshall. This time it was Carlsen who deviated from previous games, playing 8...Rb8 instead of game 3's 8...Bb7. The resulting play was similar, though, long periods of Ruy Lopez build-up eventually leading into an ending.

It was clear for most of the game that Nepomniachtchi was the one pressing for a win, but Carlsen's accurate defence meant there was very little prospect of a breakthrough. The result was the fifth consecutive draw, and once again it was a draw by repetition. We're locked at 2½-2½ heading into the second rest day, and the tension is building nicely.


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