Fabiano Caruana is the only World Chess Championship challenger and losing finalist in history who did not lose a single classical game in the title match. He himself could not win a classical game in that 2018 match with Magnus Carlsen and lost in rapid tiebreaks. The American failed to get another crack at the World title.
On the other hand, Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia lost four games against Carlsen in their 2021 match and won none. Despite that he won another crack at the title but lost three classical games and tiebreak as well against Ding Liren earlier this year. Clearly, Nepo takes more risks and can play wild chess but Caruana is more solid.
