1. c2c4  1... c7c5  2. g2g3  2... g7g6  3. f1g2  3... f8g7  4. b1c3  4... b8c6  5. g1f3  5... e7e5  6. e1g1  6... g8e7  7. d2d3  7... d7d6  8. a2a3  8... a7a5  9. a1b1  9... e8g8  10. b2b3  10... a8b8  11. c1b2  11... h7h6  12. f3d2  12... c8e6  13. c3d5  13... b7b5  14. e2e3  14... d8d7  15. f1e1 A novelty, which was the fruit of Ding's in-depth homework. 15... e6g4  16. d1c2  16... f8c8 This plan was well-prepared by the Chinese GM,  and he revealed he did not see any idea for Black. "Maybe this was a  mistake as I can force the following position" (Ding). 17. d2e4  17... e7d5  18. c4d5  18... c6e7  19. e4d2 I am quoting the essence of Ding's words: "Since I  have found this idea, I think I am much better. He does not have the rook  on a8 and cannot play a5-a4, thus I can play a3-a4 myself and get the c4  square for my knight." 19... g4h3  20. g2h1 The first real decision  that White had to make. 20... e7f5  21. a3a4  21... h6h5 Vachier-Lagrave is searching for counterplay on the kingside, as on the opposite wing his house is burning down slowly and  inexorably. 22. a4b5  22... b8b5  23. b1a1 Here also the a5 pawn is prone to fall. 23... h5h4 "He does not have any immediate threats on the kingside" (Ding). 24. b2c3  24... c8a8  25. a1a4  25... d7d8  26. h1f3  26... a8b8  27. e1a1 After some preparation White goes  for it. 27... g7h6  28. a1e1 Then suddenly backs off. "I did not want to  give him [the option to] take on e3" (Ding). 28... d8g5  29. d2e4  29... g5d8  30. a4a3  30... f5e7  31. e4d2  31... e7f5  32. c2d1  32... h6g7  33. g3g4  White switches to another plan. Due to the threat of permanent exclusion  of the bishop on h3 from the game or its physical annihilation, Black  would be soon forced to play f7-f5, and this will open the gates for the  white pieces on the kingside. 33... f5h6  34. g1h1 