A classic Magnus squeeze in the Catalan. It's important to see how in certain positions you can win games by just continuing to improve your pieces. Patience is key!
See the full game here.
Position after 15...cd5. What's your plan here?
Carlsen played 16.Nb1, rerouting his knight to b5.
Position after 22...Bxc7. How do you continue to improve your pieces here?
Carlsen played 23.Qa4, intending b2-b4.
Position after 25...h6. How do you continue to improve your pieces here?
Carlsen played 26.Qc2, intending Qc6, but 26.Ne1, rerouting to b4, is also productive.
Position after 27.Qc6. This move gave Eljanov a chance to draw. However, it's the only move, and it's very hard to find. Can you find it? HINT: White's king is surprisingly vulnerable.
Some tense positions could have arisen after 27...Qa7 28.Bd3. Understandably, Eljanov missed 27...Qa7 and blundered shortly after, as his position was already crumbling. Position after 31...Ng4. How do you convert the advantage beyond a doubt?
32.Nxg4 fg4 33.Bd3 (This is the only move to keep an advantage, as Black threatens to start making threats against White's king.) g6 34.Bxe4 de4 35.Qxb6 1-0
Had Eljanov not blundered, White can still win beautifully: by improving their pieces. Here's an example of how the game could have finished:
