1. e2e4  1... e7e6 The French may not be very popular among the elite, but it's one of the favorite defenses among amateurs, and it's always good to see it in action, as it promises a complicated game. Ding had already played it in the match against Nepomniachtchi at the suggestion of his second, GM Rapport. This move certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh. 2. d2d4  2... d7d5  3. b1c3  3... g8f6  4. e4e5  4... f6d7  5. f2f4  5... c7c5  6. c3e2  6... b8c6  7. c2c3 Now we have a transposition to the main line of the system with Nce2 with thousands of games in the database. 7... a7a5 Only the ninth most popular move in this position, but one of the computer's favorites. Black wants to gain space on the queenside. 8. g1f3  8... a5a4  9. c1e3  9... f8e7  10. g2g4 A new move and somewhat dubious. 10... d8a5  11. f1g2  11... a4a3 Apparently this is not the most accurate. Black has several interesting alternatives. 12. b2b3  12... c5d4  13. b3b4 An important intermediate move. 13... a5c7  14. e2d4  14... d7b6 Black's knight has the c4-square at its disposal, but White has a firm grip on d4 and Black's queen is no longer so active. 15. e1g1  15... b6c4  16. e3f2  16... c8d7  17. d1e2 A natural development move. 17... c6d4  18. f3d4  18... c4b2 An excellent move, attacking the pawn on c3 and also preparing Qc4 to activate the queen or exchange it. 19. e2e3 Defending c3. 19... a8c8  20. a1c1 A natural reply, but there's a problem. 20... c7c4 The a2-pawn is under attack, but even more important is the fact that the queen invasion on d3 cannot be stopped. 21. f4f5 From now on White's position deteriorates quickly. 21... c4d3  22. e3e1 This makes things even worse. 22... e7g5  23. c1c2  23... c8c4 Threatening to capture on d4. 24. h2h4  24... g5f4  25. e1b1 White is threatening 26.Rxb2. 25... c4c3  26. c2c3  26... d3c3  27. f5e6  27... f7e6 White gains some chances now.