1. e2e4 After choosing 1.d4 in the third game, which resulted in a win despite failing to gain an opening advantage, Gukesh returns to his favorite move. 1... e7e6 Ding chooses the French Defense again, showing that it's not a one-game choice, but probably his main weapon against 1.e4 in the match. 2. d2d4  2... d7d5  3. e4d5 A surprising decision, since the Exchange Variation is not the most exciting option and White has several ways to achieve sharp play in the French. I expected Gukesh to create as much tension as possible in the opening. 3... e6d5  4. g1f3  4... g8f6  5. f1d3  5... c7c5 Just Black's fourth most popular choice in this position. 6. c2c3  6... c5c4 Black decides to close the center. 7. d3c2  7... f8d6  8. d1e2 Gukesh played this quickly, but his choices in the opening remain a mystery to me. The endgame is insipid. 8... d8e7  9. e2e7  9... e8e7 The king is not in danger with no queens on the board, and Black is planning Re8 followed by Kf8. 10. e1g1  10... h8e8  11. f1e1  11... e7f8  12. e1e8  12... f8e8  13. c1g5  13... b8d7  14. b1d2  14... h7h6  15. g5h4  15... f6h5 A good move, preparing either to exchange White's bishop after g7-g5 or to activate the knight with Nh5-f4. 16. a1e1  16... e8f8  17. g2g4 A new move. 17... h5f4  18. h4g3 Something went wrong with Gukesh's preparation. Black has several moves to choose from that give him a comfortable position. 18... d7b6  19. g4g5 The only way to keep the game equal. 19... h6g5  20. f3g5  20... c8d7  21. g5f3  21... a8e8  22. f3e5  22... d6e5  23. d4e5  23... f4d3  24. c2d3  24... c4d3 The d3-pawn can be protected easily, if necessary, by a bishop on f5. Meanwhile Black can play Nc4 or Na4. 25. f2f3  25... b6c4  26. d2c4  26... d5c4 The d3-pawn is a strong \"PPP\" (passed protected pawn). The position is very unpleasant for White. 27. e1e4 From now on, Ding releases the tension too easily. 27... d7c6 The bishop is not well-placed on this diagonal. 28. e4d4  28... c6f3  29. g1f2  29... f3c6  30. d4c4  30... e8d8 