This is more dangerous than the queen exchange.
1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... a7a6  4. b5a4  4... g8f6  5. e1g1  5... f8e7  6. a4c6 [%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] No surprises in Ding's opening choice—we were all expecting a classic 1.e4 e5. But Nepomniachtchi shows his weapons already on move six. He had never played the \"Delayed Exchange Variation\" before. 6... d7c6  7. f1e1 [%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The move played in the game is just the fourth most popular, despite having, even so, vast theory behind it. The idea will become clear in the next move: White wants to advance his pawn to d4. Ding has faced this system three times, but in all the games his opponents played 7.d3. 7... f6d7  8. d2d4 [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. White seeks a more open game, rather than the typical maneuvers that result from slower play with the pawn on d3. 8... e5d4  9. d1d4  9... e8g8  10. c1f4  10... d7c5 