1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. b1c3  3... f8b4  4. e2e3  4... e8g8  5. c1d2 Once again a new opening is played in the match. 5... d7d5  6. a2a3 A somewhat offbeat move order, but it has been played by Ding and other elite players. 6.Nf3 is more popular. 6... b4e7  7. g1f3  7... c7c5 Nepomniachtchi chooses the second most popular move, immediately hitting the center and inviting exchanges. 8. d4c5  8... e7c5 This is a typical position from the Queen's Gambit when White's bishop is on f4, obviously a better square. With the bishop on d2, the chances of an advantage are more limited. 9. d1c2  9... d5c4 This natural move is a new one. The trend of the match is seen once again: the game is out of the known theoretical paths early on, even when a major opening is played. 10. f1c4  10... b8d7 [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An accurate move. This is the best way to develop the pieces. 11. a1d1  11... c5e7 [%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is not the best. Black should not lose time before finishing development. 12. f3g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The start of a superficial plan. The best way to fight for the initiative is to play with e3-e4, either immediately or after castling. 12... h7h6  13. h2h4 Ding has already played a similar plan in this match, when in the eighth game, also a Nimzo-Indian, he left a bishop hanging on g5. In that game, the h4-move was more dangerous. Here the knight on g5 is not particularly dangerous and Black can develop the pieces without major worries. 13... d8c7  14. c4e2  14... f8d8 [%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural defending move, planning to bring the knight to f8 and to protect the king. But there's a better option. 15. d1c1 Unpinning the c3-knight. 15... d7f8 Following the plan started with the previous move. 16. g5e4  16... f6e4  17. c3e4  17... c7c2  18. c1c2  18... c8d7  19. d2b4 [%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 19... e7b4  20. a3b4  20... d7c6  21. e4c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White is in trouble after this move. 21... c6g2  22. h1g1  22... g2d5  23. e3e4  23... d5c6  24. b4b5  24... c6e8  25. c5b7  25... d8d4 White has not equalized yet and the position is still dangerous. 26. c2c4  26... d4d7  27. b7c5  27... d7c7  28. c4c3  28... a8c8  29. b2b4  29... f8d7  30. c3g3 [%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A serious mistake. 30... d7c5 [%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 31. b4c5  31... c7c5  32. g3g7  32... g8f8  33. e2d3  33... c8d8 [%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 34. e1e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This mistake places Ding on the verge of defeat. 34... c5c3 [%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 35. g7g8  35... f8e7  36. g1g3  36... e6e5 [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This throws away a big portion of the advantage. 37. g8h8  37... d8d6  38. b5b6 [%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, forcing a rook endgame that should be a draw. 38... d6b6  39. h8e8  39... e7e8  40. d3b5  40... b6b5  41. g3c3 With an active rook and some weaknesses to attack, White should be able to make a draw. This is never very easy in practice, but Ding certainly was relieved when this endgame arrived on the board. 41... e8d7  42. c3f3  42... d7e7  43. f3c3  43... a7a5  44. c3c7  44... e7f6  45. c7c6  45... f6g7  46. c6a6 As every schoolboy knows, the rook should be placed behind the passed pawn. 46... b5b2  47. e2f3  47... b2a2  48. f3g3  48... h6h5  49. a6a8  49... a2a1  50. g3g2  50... a5a4  51. a8a5  51... f7f6  52. g2f3  52... a4a3  53. a5a6  53... g7f7  54. f3e3 