1. c2c4  1... e7e6  2. g2g3  2... d7d5  3. f1g2  3... g8f6  4. g1f3  4... d5d4 A combative decision, showing that Gukesh was confident. Playing Be7 followed by 0-0 or taking on c4 immediately are very solid and recommended when nothing more than a draw is needed. 5. e1g1  5... b8c6  6. e2e3  6... f8e7 An interesting decision. 6...e5 is known to be OK for Black, according to opening theory. 7. d2d3  7... d4e3  8. c1e3 The most accurate way of capturing. 8... e6e5 A good move, controlling the center and opening the diagonal for the c8-bishop. 9. b1c3  9... e8g8  10. f1e1 A good development move before playing d3-d4, which can lead to simplifications. 10... h7h6 A new move and a difficult choice. Gukesh plays a useful move. Now after Be6 there's no Ng5. 11. a2a3 White plays a useful move. 11... a7a5 Gukesh decides to prevent b2-b4. A logical decision, but this creates some weaknesses on the queenside. 12. h2h3  12... c8e6  13. g1h2 A good prophylactic move, reminiscent of Anatoly Karpov. White reinforces the pawn on h3 before it's even attacked. 13... a8b8 A bad decision. This is definitely not the most useful move available. 14. d1c2 It's unclear whether this is the best square for the queen. 14... f8e8  15. c3b5  15... e6f5  16. a1d1  16... f6d7 Black wants to play Nc5, but Ding will react very well against this plan. 17. c2d2 Removing the queen from the pin and preparing d3-d4. 17... f5g6 More hesitant play. 18. d3d4  18... e5e4  19. f3g1 White has a nice center, and the knight is coming back into play via e2. Black has no effective plan, and his position is quite bad. 19... d7b6  20. d2c3  20... e7f6  21. c3c2  21... a5a4 Preparing counterplay with Na5, but it's not enough. 22. g1e2  22... f6g5 Making things even worse. 23. e2f4  23... g5f4  24. e3f4  24... b8c8  25. c2c3 White's position is like art. It's rare for the computer to evaluate a position as +3 when there's no material advantage on the board. But here, White has everything: a better center, better pawn structure, the bishop pair, and more active pieces. A pessimistic player with Black might as well resign. Gukesh, of course, plays on for a little bit. 25... c6b8 Ugly. 26. d4d5  26... d8d7  27. d5d6  27... c7c5  28. b5c7  28... e8f8  29. g2e4 White adds a pawn to his other advantages.