Yes, the knight craves the f4-square. But the lost time matters.
1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1c4 The Italian game shines again as a top-level  choice. 3... f8c5  4. e1g1  4... g8f6  5. d2d3  5... d7d6  6. c2c3  6... a7a6  7. f1e1  7... h7h6  8. a2a4  8... e8g8  9. b1d2  9... f8e8  10. h2h3  10... c8e6  11. c4e6  11... e8e6  12. b2b4  12... c5a7  13. c1b2  13... c6e7  14. c3c4  14... a6a5 A novelty which aims to stop the enemy  queenside expansion once and for all. 15. b4a5 Ding opens the b-file for his major pieces and hopes to build  enough pressure while his opponent eventually gets the pawn back. 15... e7c6  16. b2c3 An obvious move, but an inaccuracy. 16... f6d7 The world champion follows his plan but this misses an  excellent opportunity to activate his kingside pieces. 17. a1b1  17... d7c5  18. d2f1  18... e6g6  19. f1e3 