1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. g2g3  3... f8b4  4. c1d2  4... b4e7  5. f1g2  5... d7d5  6. g1f3  6... e8g8  7. e1g1  7... c7c6 This is one of the most important positions for the theory of the Catalan Opening. Black's position is very solid, and it's not easy for White to get any advantage. The check on b4 slightly disrupts White's development, which could have flowed with b3-Bb2 if the bishop was on c1. 8. d1c2  8... b8d7  9. f1d1  9... b7b6 Black simply plans to finish development with Bb7 and play c6-c5 at some point. 10. d2c3 A rare move, but played by Giri in 2024. The bishop normally goes to f4. 10... c8b7  11. b1d2  11... d8c7  12. a1c1 Gukesh's opening preparation in this game is unimpressive. Black has already equalized. 12... f8d8 A new move. 13. b2b4  13... c6c5 Black must play this before White can play c4-c5. The game is quickly heading toward total equality without any imbalances. But we'll still go through a little adventure to get there. 14. b4c5  14... b6c5  15. c2b2 Removing the queen from the c-file, leaving Black's queen in a potential attack by the rook on c1. But this isn't dangerous. 15... d7b6 The most direct move, preparing to capture on c4 and also Na4. 16. c3a5 White pins the knight, and play becomes concrete, with possible exchanges in the center. 16... d5c4  17. d2c4  17... b7f3 A dubious decision that allows White to keep a small advantage, thanks to the power of the famous \"Catalan Bishop.\" 18. a5b6 Forced. 18... a7b6  19. g2f3  19... a8a6 Removing the rook from the attack and defending the b6-pawn. Ding has accurately calculated the consequences of White's most direct move (20.Qb5), but there's another possibility. 20. b2b5 This lets any chance of an advantage slip. 20... a6a2  21. c4b6 Apparently, Black has problems with the pinned c-pawn, but he solves all of them with the next move. 21... c7a7 Removing the pin and supporting a timely Ra2-a5. 22. b5b1  22... d8b8  23. d4c5  23... a2a6  24. b1b5  24... e7c5  25. b5c5  25... a7b6  26. c5b6  26... a6b6 The game is completely drawn, and the next moves are only played because accepting a draw before move 40 is not allowed by the match rules. But the job of the commentator is essentially over. 27. c1c6  27... b6c6  28. f3c6  28... g7g5  29. g1g2  29... b8b2  30. g2f1  30... g8g7  31. h2h3  31... h7h5  32. d1a1  32... b2c2  33. c6b5  33... c2c5  34. b5d3  34... f6d7  35. f2f4 Advancing pawns on the endgame sometimes leads to trouble, but this one is so drawish that nothing can happen. 35... g5f4  36. g3f4  36... c5c3  37. f1f2  37... d7c5  38. f2e3  38... c5d3  39. e2d3  39... c3c2  40. e3f3  40... c2d2  41. a1a3  41... g7g6 Ding achieved sort of a \"moral victory\" in this endgame, considering the position after move 26. 42. a3b3  42... f7f6  43. b3a3  43... g6f5  44. a3a5  44... e6e5  45. f4e5  45... d2d3  46. f3e2 