1. e2e4  1... e7e6 Yesterday it was the London System and today it's the French Defense, which was missing for a long time in world championship matches. Did Ding Liren finally show the best opening repertoire for chess players of all levels $2 2. d2d4  2... d7d5  3. b1d2 Nepomniachtchi decides not to test his opponent in the most critical lines, instead aiming for a small and safe advantage. 3... c7c5 Definitely Black's best move in this position. 4. g1f3  4... c5d4  5. f3d4  5... g8f6  6. e4d5  6... f6d5  7. d2f3  7... f8e7  8. f1c4  8... b8c6 This is a new move in this position, although there will be a move transposition later on. In any case, the position becomes unfamiliar very soon, something of a trend in this match. Although Black now gets three \"pawn islands,\" he gets the b-file and good piece development in return. The usually bad French bishop now can be developed on b7. 9. d4c6  9... b7c6  10. e1g1  10... e8g8  11. d1e2  11... c8b7  12. c4d3 This sensible move, preparing the typical queen and bishop battery, is a novelty. 12... d8c7  13. e2e4 This is the idea. Black has to either allow the queen to h4 or give the h6-square to the bishop. 13... d5f6  14. e4h4  14... c6c5  15. c1f4  15... c7b6  16. f3e5  16... a8d8  17. a1e1 It's not clear whether this is the right square for the rook. 17... g7g6  18. f4g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This doesn't look very impressive due to Black's next move. 18... d8d4 [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forced and good. The f-pawn naturally cannot move due to the problems with the king on the diagonal, so the queen has to move. 19. h4h3  19... b6c7 The queen returns to protect the bishop on e7, freeing the knight. It also prepares the c5-c4 advance. 20. b2b3 Nepomniachtchi avoids c5-c4. The position is extremely complex and there are many possibilities for both sides on each move. 20... f6h5 [%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 21. f2f4 A double-edged move typical of Nepomniachtchi's dynamic style. 21... e7d6 [%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is based on some very accurate calculation. 22. c2c3  22... h5f4 [%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the justification of the previous move. 23. g5f4  23... d4f4  24. f1f4  24... d6e5 Black has excellent compensation for the exchange: a pawn, active bishops, and mobile pawns on the kingside. 25. f4h4  25... f8d8  26. d3e4 The best strategy when your opponent has the bishop pair is trying to exchange one of them. The sum is greater than the parts. 26... b7e4 It's interesting to retain this bishop even at the cost of the h-pawn. 27. h4e4  27... d8d5  28. e4h4 Other moves are possible. 28... c7d6  29. h3e3  29... h7h5 Black has a comfortable position, with adequate compensation for the exchange. His position is slightly better, but from now on the main character of the game will be the clock and not the pieces. 30. g2g3  30... e5f6  31. h4c4  31... h5h4 Ding burned a lot of time on this move. Maybe it would be wiser to play a simple move like 31...Kg7. But let's be honest: it's always easier to give advice once the game is over. 32. g3h4  32... d5d2 [%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A step in the wrong direction. 33. e1e2  33... d2d3 [%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The rook had to go back to d5. In deep time trouble, Ding completely loses the thread of the game. 34. e3c5 There's no attack and the game is over after losing this important pawn with only a few seconds on the clock. 34... d3d1  35. g1g2 