context: 1. g1f3  1... d7d5  2. c2c4  2... d5d4  3. b2b4 Another different opening in a match in which the players don't want to repeat their preparation with White. 3... c7c5  4. e2e3  4... g8f6 Played after almost 40 minutes. 5. a2a3 A new move in this position, although I found one game that transposed to it. This game actually started with 1.a3 $1 5... c8g4 A new move that cost Ding a lot of time on the clock. 6. e3d4  6... c5d4  7. h2h3  7... g4f3  8. d1f3  8... d8c7  9. d2d3 White needs to play incisively. The continuation of the game is slow and quickly leaves Black in a good position. 9... a7a5  10. b4b5  10... b8d7 With firm control of the c5-square and easy development, Black's position is already very comfortable. 11. g2g3 Played after more than 60 minutes, something odd for a simple decision in the opening. Gukesh clearly didn't like his position. 11... d7c5  12. f1g2  12... f6d7 Preparing a direct attack on the d3-pawn with Nd7-e5. Black could also try a slower plan. 13. e1g1  13... d7e5  14. f3f4  14... a8d8  15. f1d1 This makes things worse. It's better for White to abandon the d-pawn immediately. 15... g7g6 A mistake in return. 16. a3a4 A good move, preparing Ba3 or Ra3 to defend the d-pawn if necessary. 16... h7h5 A tempting move to develop the bishop on h6, but it is better to remove the queen from c7 first. 17. b5b6  17... c7d6  18. c1a3  18... f8h6  19. a3c5 This exchange is necessary. 19... d6c5  20. f4e4  20... e5c6  21. b1a3 White is preparing Rdb1-b5. I feel that his position is easier to play, although objectively the position is equal. 21... d8d7  22. a3c2  22... c5b6  23. a1b1 