A shocking blunder by Svidler in the third game of the FIDE World Cup 2015 Final helped Karjakin stay alive in the finals, although Svidler still leads the match with a 2-1 scoreline.
With Karjakin trailing Svilder by a deficit of 2 points before the 3rd game, the former resorted to the Sicilian defence with a view to securing a complex battle. But Svidler chose the offbeat move 3. Qxd4 and the resulting middlegame seemed pretty level. Karjakin, in a bid to complicate the matters, made an inferior capture which enabled Svidler to acquire good control over the position. However, Svidler’s advantage was short-lived as he committed a devastating blunder with 29. Qd2, allowing Karjakin to decide the matters immediately in his favour.
Going into the fourth and last game of the Final, Svidler only requires a draw to clinch the World Cup title for the second time in his career.