1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... g8f6 The Berlin Defense, widely considered Black's most reliable option against 1.e4, makes its first appearance in this duel. This is impressive, as a feature of world championship matches is that the openings are usually repeated. This is yet another feature that makes this match unique. 4. d2d3  4... f8c5  5. c2c3  5... e8g8  6. e1g1  6... d7d5  7. b1d2  7... d5e4  8. d3e4  8... a7a5 All of this is a critical variation of the Anti-Berlin and was played in an important game of the Candidates Tournament. The idea of this move is to gain space on the queenside and prevent b2-b4. 9. a2a4 A good option, fixing the pawn structure on the queenside. 9... d8e7  10. d1c2  10... c6b8 [%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a typical maneuver, improving the knight's position. The pawn will go to c6, and the knight can choose whether to go to a6 or d7. 11. f1e1  11... f8d8 Not the easiest move to play since Black has natural alternatives, but Ding surely was still following his preparation. 12. h2h3 A typical move, avoiding problems with Bg4 or Ng4. 12... h7h6  13. d2f1  13... c7c6  14. b5c4  14... b8a6 [%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A surprising route for the knight, as Nd7-b6 is a simple alternative. But Ding's plan is more active and better. 15. f1g3  15... e7c7 [%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's plan becomes clear. He wants to retreat the bishop to f8, protect the king, and bring the knight to c5. 16. c4a2 Nepo thought for a long time before playing this mysterious and not very convincing move. 16... b7b5  17. c2e2 [%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White attacks the b5-pawn while preparing the attack with Nh4-Qf3. This is a critical moment in the game. 17... a8b8 [%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An inaccuracy that leads to a difficult position for Black. This move is too slow. 18. f3h4 [%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly, the attack on the kingside gets serious. 18... c5f8  19. e2f3  19... b5a4 It's necessary to go for some counterplay, as defensive moves are not enough. 20. c1h6 [%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 20... a6c5  21. h4g6 [%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] 21... b8b2  22. g6f8  22... d8f8 White has many interesting options now. 23. h6g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not the best one. 23... f6h7  24. g5c1  24... b2b5 [%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 25. c1a3  25... f8e8 Ding prepares an exchange sacrifice. 26. a2c4  26... c8e6 Another critical moment of the game. 27. c4e6 [%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things easier for Ding. 27... c5e6  28. g3f5  28... c6c5 Necessary to protect the d6-square. 29. f3e2  29... b5b3  30. e2c4  30... c7c6  31. a3c1  31... h7f6  32. c4a4  32... c6a4  33. a1a4  33... b3c3  34. c1b2  34... c3b3  35. b2e5  35... b3b4  36. a4a5  36... b4e4  37. e1e4  37... f6e4  38. a5a4 The game simplified a lot and it's clear that a draw is on the way. 38... e6d4 [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A practical and safe option, leading to an ending that is easily defensible for a player of Ding's stature. 39. e5d4  39... c5d4  40. a4d4  40... g7g6  41. f5e3 The presence of the knights gives some winning chances, but it's still a safe draw since there are not many pawns remaining. 41... g8g7  42. d4b4  42... e4g3 [%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] 43. b4b7  43... g3f5  44. e3g4  44... e8e7  45. b7b5  45... e7e1  46. g1h2  46... e1e2  47. b5b7  47... f5d6  48. b7a7  48... g7f8  49. h2g3  49... f7f5  50. g3f3  50... e2e7  51. a7a8  51... e7e8  52. a8e8  52... f8e8 Finally we get to the knight endgame. 53. g4e5  53... g6g5  54. h3h4  54... g5h4  55. f3f4  55... h4h3 [%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 56. g2h3  56... e8e7  57. e5c6  57... e7f6  58. c6d4  58... d6e4  59. f2f3  59... e4f2  60. h3h4  60... f2d3  61. f4g3  61... f6g6 Now the draw is simple, since White cannot make progress. 62. d4e6  62... g6f6  63. e6f4  63... d3b4  64. g3f2  64... f6e5  65. f2e3  65... b4c2  66. e3d2  66... c2d4  67. f4d3  67... e5f6  68. d2e3 