1. e2e4  1... e7e6 Yesterday it was the London System and today it's the French Defense, which was missing for a long time in world championship matches. Did Ding Liren finally show the best opening repertoire for chess players of all levels $2 2. d2d4  2... d7d5  3. b1d2 Nepomniachtchi decides not to test his opponent in the most critical lines, instead aiming for a small and safe advantage. 3... c7c5 Definitely Black's best move in this position. 4. g1f3  4... c5d4  5. f3d4  5... g8f6  6. e4d5  6... f6d5  7. d2f3  7... f8e7  8. f1c4  8... b8c6 This is a new move in this position, although there will be a move transposition later on. In any case, the position becomes unfamiliar very soon, something of a trend in this match. Although Black now gets three \"pawn islands,\" he gets the b-file and good piece development in return. The usually bad French bishop now can be developed on b7. 9. d4c6  9... b7c6  10. e1g1  10... e8g8  11. d1e2  11... c8b7  12. c4d3 This sensible move, preparing the typical queen and bishop battery, is a novelty. 12... d8c7  13. e2e4 This is the idea. Black has to either allow the queen to h4 or give the h6-square to the bishop. 13... d5f6  14. e4h4  14... c6c5  15. c1f4  15... c7b6  16. f3e5  16... a8d8  17. a1e1 It's not clear whether this is the right square for the rook. 17... g7g6  18. f4g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This doesn't look very impressive due to Black's next move. 18... d8d4 [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forced and good. The f-pawn naturally cannot move due to the problems with the king on the diagonal, so the queen has to move. 19. h4h3  19... b6c7 The queen returns to protect the bishop on e7, freeing the knight. It also prepares the c5-c4 advance. 20. b2b3 Nepomniachtchi avoids c5-c4. The position is extremely complex and there are many possibilities for both sides on each move. 20... f6h5 [%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 21. f2f4 A double-edged move typical of Nepomniachtchi's dynamic style. 21... e7d6 [%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is based on some very accurate calculation. 22. c2c3  22... h5f4 [%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the justification of the previous move. 23. g5f4  23... d4f4 