context: 1. g1f3  1... d7d5  2. g2g3  2... g7g6  3. d2d4  3... f8g7  4. c2c4  4... c7c6  5. f1g2  5... g8f6  6. e1g1  6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5  10... e7e6  11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3  12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5  13. e4d5  13... b8d7  14. d2c4  14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6  16. c1f4  16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2  17... a8d8  18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3  20... b6a6  21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1  22. a1e1  22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1  23... a2b3  24. a1a3  24... b3b1  25. g1g2  25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3  27... b3b1  28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3  29. a5b5  29... b3d3  30. d2f4  30... d3c2  31. d4f6  31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5  33. f6g7  33... g8g7  34. b5c5  34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4  35... g6e5  36. c4d4  36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7  38. b4b5  38... g7f6 