Nepomniachtchi openings
Ian Nepomniachtchi is the official challenger for the World Chess Championship against Magnus Carlsen.
https://www.chess.com/events/2021-fide-world-chess-championship
Lets look at some opening Ian really likes.
With White, Ian likes this sideline against the Petroff Defense 1e4 e5 2Nf3 Nf6 3 Ne5 d6 4Nf3 Ne4 5c4!?
You can see his win in 2016 here https://www.chess.com/games/view/13685597
More recently he used it in a blitz game he won, I a showing the beginning of the game only
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Against the Sicilian Najdorf, he likes the following line
He played this 4 times against Giri. Twice he went for the main line 8.Qd2, but twice he chose 8.Nb3
He can also surprise his opponent, here the quite unknown 6 Rg1!? but it was of course a blitz game.
Interesting he won quickly in a rapid game against Magnus Carlsen using this weapon
But he also lost against Carlsen in the same opening
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Against the french defense, he likes the classical variation with 3 Nc3 as this game shows
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Against the hippo ( also called double fianchetto) he also uses a classical set-up with Nf3 and Nc3.
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We can tell that Nepo is a player believing in piece activity, enjoys attacking with the white pieces.
He develops his pieces quite naturally with Nc3 or Nf3, and goes for the attack. He is also very strong in tactics.
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of course he also enjoys complex strategic battles in the Ruy Lopez like all top GMs. He may face this opening against Carlsen and they played a few rapid games.
Here's a recent game against Firouzja with a positional theme. The game ended in a draw.
