context: 1. e2e4  1... e7e6 The French may not be very popular among the elite, but it's one of the favorite defenses among amateurs, and it's always good to see it in action, as it promises a complicated game. Ding had already played it in the match against Nepomniachtchi at the suggestion of his second, GM Rapport. This move certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh. 2. d2d4  2... d7d5  3. b1c3  3... g8f6  4. e4e5  4... f6d7  5. f2f4  5... c7c5  6. c3e2  6... b8c6  7. c2c3 Now we have a transposition to the main line of the system with Nce2 with thousands of games in the database. 7... a7a5 Only the ninth most popular move in this position, but one of the computer's favorites. Black wants to gain space on the queenside.