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Dynamic Play on Display: Lessons from the U.S. Championship

Interesting blog on an interesting game.
I feel some more moves deserve comments.
7 Nf3 is an improvement over the earlier 7 e3

https://lichess.org/1Ai1BZWc#12

I dislike 7...b6, which is weakening and would prefer the more solid development O-O and Nbd7.
I dislike the weakening 8...h6 and would prefer 8...Bb7, which is the point of 7...b6
The line with 9...Ba6 should be equal but sharp, as you say.
11...Qe8 seems wrong. The line you give with 11...c5 should be equal with 15...Qc7. One point is that square e8 remains free for Ne8 protecting g7.
The line you give with 13...a5 should be fine for black with 15...Qe7.
15...a6 16 Bc6 Ra7 defends better than 15...e4.
The same 16...a6 defends better than 16...Bb7? The bishop stares at its own pawn d5. This may be the decisive mistake.
The finish is spectacular indeed, marvelous play by Caruana.

Interesting blog on an interesting game. I feel some more moves deserve comments. 7 Nf3 is an improvement over the earlier 7 e3 https://lichess.org/1Ai1BZWc#12 I dislike 7...b6, which is weakening and would prefer the more solid development O-O and Nbd7. I dislike the weakening 8...h6 and would prefer 8...Bb7, which is the point of 7...b6 The line with 9...Ba6 should be equal but sharp, as you say. 11...Qe8 seems wrong. The line you give with 11...c5 should be equal with 15...Qc7. One point is that square e8 remains free for Ne8 protecting g7. The line you give with 13...a5 should be fine for black with 15...Qe7. 15...a6 16 Bc6 Ra7 defends better than 15...e4. The same 16...a6 defends better than 16...Bb7? The bishop stares at its own pawn d5. This may be the decisive mistake. The finish is spectacular indeed, marvelous play by Caruana.

I never understand those who play ...d5 in the Nimzo-Indian.... this is not in the spirit of the opening. Better to play QGD then.
After 4.Qc2 then 4... 0-0 or c5 are surely better.

I never understand those who play ...d5 in the Nimzo-Indian.... this is not in the spirit of the opening. Better to play QGD then. After 4.Qc2 then 4... 0-0 or c5 are surely better.