1. e2e4 Nepomniachtchi returns to his favorite move after failing to gain an advantage in the third game with the queen's pawn. 1... e7e5 It's hard to imagine Ding playing anything against 1.e4 in the match other than 1...e5. 2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... a7a6  4. b5a4  4... g8f6  5. e1g1  5... f8e7  6. d2d3 The Ruy Lopez is the most classic of all chess openings and I was curious to know what ideas Nepomniachtchi had prepared for the match. 6.Bxc6 was played in the first game and gave him an edge, but it was a one-game attempt and worked well for that purpose. 6.Re1 was the chosen move in the match against Carlsen. 6.d3 is a popular and modern option. 6... b7b5  7. a4b3  7... d7d6  8. c2c3  8... e8g8  9. h2h3  9... c8b7 In these Ruy Lopez positions there are many possible plans for both sides, with many details and subtleties. 10. a2a4 [%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare move, played by Firouzja last year. 10... c6a5  11. b3a2 This is the idea, now the bishop can stay on the dangerous diagonal. 11... c7c5  12. c1g5 A new move. Nepomniachtchi certainly has a good stock of ideas in the opening against his opponent's more predictable choice. 12... h7h6 A curious move, as White probably wants to take on f6 anyway. 13. g5f6  13... e7f6  14. a4b5  14... a6b5  15. b1d2  15... a5c6  16. a2d5  16... a8a1  17. d1a1  17... d8d7  18. f1e1 Nepomniachtchi was blitzing all his moves, indicating he was still in preparation. 18... f8a8 A natural move, although it's not so clear whether forcing the queen back to the game is the most precise move. 19. a1d1  19... f6d8 I don't like this move, although deeming it dubious might be excessive criticism. There are several possible plans. 20. d2f1  20... c6e7 [%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this White definitely has the upper hand. 21. d5b7  21... d7b7  22. f1e3 Nepomniachtchi got what he wanted from the opening. A good position, attacking chances, and an advantage on the clock. 22... d8b6  23. h3h4 [%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I'm not sure if this move is still part of the preparation or if it was thought up on the board, but it's a great decision. It reminds me of a great Kasparov game I watched live, when he played a similar plan against Van Wely, in Wijk aan Zee 1999, achieving a magnificent victory. Bringing the pawn to h5 helps White both in attacking chances on the middlegame and also in the endgame. 23... b7c6  24. h4h5 This is a critical moment. Nepomniachtchi said at the press conference that he was torn between this and 24.c4. 24... c5c4 This is better than capturing on c4. 25. d3d4 [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 25... e5d4 [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not the most accurate move, although Ding had to calculate some difficult lines in order to choose the best move. 26. f3d4 The right way. 26... c6c5  27. d1g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi's only inaccuracy in the entire game. 27... c5e5 [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 28. d4f3  28... e5e6  29. e3f5  29... e7f5 [%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Ding regretted playing this move. 30. e4f5  30... e6f6 [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 31. g4e4  31... a8b8  32. e1e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent prophylactic move, defending b2 and thus avoiding the counterplay with b5-b4. 32... b6c5  33. g2g4 [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another great move, mixing attack and defense. The f5-pawn is protected and this is important to free the queen. 33... f6d8  34. e4d5  34... g8f8  35. g1f1 A difficult move. On the broadcast, Giri said that this is the kind of move that wins games. The idea is to improve the king's position, taking it away from the bishop's diagonal, thus preparing the decisive plan to pass the rook to the attack. 35.Kg2 is also possible, with a similar idea. 35... b8c8  36. e2e4 [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook supports the decisive kingside break with f6 or g5. 36... c8b8 For lack of a better option, Ding decides to wait out the inevitable. 37. g4g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 37... h6g5  38. e4g4  38... b8a8  39. f3g5  39... a8a1  40. f1e2  40... d8e7 