The chess players’ meeting was held in the 15th round as part of the second game day of the tournament. Nepomniachtchi played White, the game ended on move 40.
After 15 rounds, five chess players shared the tournament’s front row: Ian Nepomniachtchi, Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura from the United States, Anish Giri from the Netherlands and Hayk Martirosyan from Armenia.
Recall that the International Chess Federation (FIDE) allowed Russians to play in tournaments under its auspices under a neutral flag.
Interestingly, Nepomniachtchi was supposed to face Carlsen in the match for the chess crown in classical chess after he won the Candidates Tournament. But the Norwegian officially refused this match.