Well that was quick

I would have thought the first game of the Final of the 2015 World Cup would have been a peaceful draw. With 4 games rather than 2, the players could have taken it easy, checked out their opponents prep, and shaken hands around move 30. Instead Karjakin got cracked in 29 moves, with the end of the game looking particularly ugly.
After a closed opening, the position opened up in Svidler's favour. 20.Qb3 seemed to be the turning point of the game, as after that Karjakin had to meet a succession of threats, with his position getting steadily worse. By move 26 Svidler was totally winning, and Karjakin resigned a few moves later.


Svidler,Peter - Karjakin,Sergey [C00]
2015 World Cup, 01.10.2015

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 c5 7. e4 Nc6 8. Re1 b5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Ne4 Bb7 11. c3 a6 12. a4 b4 13. Bg5 f6 14. Bd2 e5 15. Rc1 Rf7 16. d4 bxc3 17. bxc3 cxd4 18. cxd4 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 exd4 20. Qb3 Rb8 21. Rb1 Qd7 22. Rec1 Qe6 23. Nc5 Bxc5 24. Rxc5 Rd8 25. Ba5 Rd6 26. Qc4 Nc3 27. Rxb7 Qe1+ 28. Bf1 Ne2+ 29. Qxe2 1-0