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65. d8d5 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 |
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65... e5f6 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 |
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66. e1d2 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 |
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66... b7b6 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 |
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67. b3c4 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 |
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67... b6d6 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 67. b3c4 |
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68. d2c3 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 67. b3c4 67... b6d6 |
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68... d6d5 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 67. b3c4 67... b6d6 68. d2c3 |
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69. c4d5 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 67. b3c4 67... b6d6 68. d2c3 68... d6d5 |
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69... f7d6 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 67. b3c4 67... b6d6 68. d2c3 68... d6d5 69. c4d5 |
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70. c3b4 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 67. b3c4 67... b6d6 68. d2c3 68... d6d5 69. c4d5 69... f7d6 |
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70... d6b5 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 67. b3c4 67... b6d6 68. d2c3 68... d6d5 69. c4d5 69... f7d6 70. c3b4 |
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71. b4b5 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 67. b3c4 67... b6d6 68. d2c3 68... d6d5 69. c4d5 69... f7d6 70. c3b4 70... d6b5 |
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71... a7a6 | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 67. b3c4 67... b6d6 68. d2c3 68... d6d5 69. c4d5 69... f7d6 70. c3b4 70... d6b5 71. b4b5 |
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72. b5a6 | So far this is the best game of the match. | 1. g1f3 1... d7d5 2. g2g3 2... g7g6 3. d2d4 3... f8g7 4. c2c4 4... c7c6 5. f1g2 5... g8f6 6. e1g1 6... e8g8 The system with c6-d5 in the Grunfeld Fianchetto has been played in thousands of games, even at the world championship level. It's one of Black's most solid options. 7. f1e1 A big surprise. I've never seen this move before. Can you imagine this is only the 15th most-popular move in the position $2 It was played by a GM just twice before, both times in blitz games. So it's safe to say that this is nearly a new idea. 7... d5c4 A principled reaction, played after a long reflection. One feature of Ding's style is that he's not afraid to go for complicated and forcing variations, even when he might face advanced preparation. 8. e2e4 Officially a new move. This is obviously White's idea 7.Re1. 8... c8g4 A good reaction, pinning the knight and exerting pressure on the center. 9. b1d2 The first choice of the computer. Gukesh was still following his preparation. The knight attacks c4 and also prepares to capture on f3. 9... c6c5 A surprising move, probably played in order to take Gukesh out of his preparation. 10. d4d5 10... e7e6 11. h2h3 White had a difficult choice at this point. This move is very natural, but capturing on c4 might be even more accurate. 11... g4f3 12. g2f3 The best capture. 12... e6d5 13. e4d5 13... b8d7 14. d2c4 14... b7b5 Removing the knight from its excellent post. 15. c4a3 A good retreat. 15... d8b6 16. c1f4 16... f8e8 This type of position is sometimes seen in the Grunfeld Defense. White has the pair of bishops and a strong passed pawn, but Black is not without chances with a queenside pawn majority and the idea of blockading the pawn with Ne8-d6 or attacking it with Rad8. 17. d1d2 17... a8d8 18. a3c2 Both sides play natural moves. The knight returns to a better position. 18... d7f8 Preparing to attack the d5-pawn and maybe play Nf8-e6, exploiting the pin. There are alternatives. 19. b2b4 An interesting decision. By breaking the queenside, White gains important squares for the knight. 19... c5c4 White gets the d4-square for the knight, but the passed pawn on c4 gives Black reasonable chances. 20. f4e3 20... b6a6 21. e3d4 Ding was already in time trouble at this point. 21... e8e1 22. a1e1 22... a6a2 An incredibly bold decision. 23. e1a1 23... a2b3 24. a1a3 24... b3b1 25. g1g2 25... d8d7 Black protects the a7-pawn, but now White's advantage increases. 26. a3a5 Gukesh plays with great accuracy. 26... b1b3 The queen goes back in order to go to d3. 27. a5a3 27... b3b1 28. a3a5 Gukesh repeats moves, but he's not interested in a draw. 28... b1b3 29. a5b5 29... b3d3 30. d2f4 30... d3c2 31. d4f6 31... c2f5 A good practical decision, going to a worse endgame with some chances of a draw. 32. f4f5 Too hasty. 32... g6f5 33. f6g7 33... g8g7 34. b5c5 34... f8g6 White has lost a good portion of his advantage. Black has serious drawing chances. 35. c5c4 35... g6e5 36. c4d4 36... e5c6 The only chance and probably a move Ding had foreseen when going for this endgame. 37. d4f4 Black gets very close to a draw now. 37... c6e7 38. b4b5 38... g7f6 39. f4d4 39... h7h6 40. g2f1 40... f6e5 A mistake on the last move of the time control. 41. d4h4 Ding certainly missed the strength of this move. Now White should be winning. 41... e7d5 42. h4h6 White is a healthy pawn up. The knight, however, is the trickiest piece in chess. 42... d5c3 43. h6c6 43... c3e4 44. f1e1 A human reaction, preventing the check on d2. Unfortunately, human moves aren't always the best. 44... f7f6 An interesting and difficult move. Ding removes the pawn from the seventh rank so that a rook on c7 doesn't attack it. 45. h3h4 45... d7d3 Activating the rook. 46. f3d1 Played after some hesitation and allowing Black to escape with a draw. 46... f5f4 47. g3f4 47... e5f4 48. d1c2 48... d3d5 49. c6c4 49... f6f5 50. c4b4 50... f4f3 There are already many drawing moves. 51. c2d1 51... f3g2 52. b4b3 52... d5e5 53. f2f4 53... e5e7 54. b3e3 54... e7h7 55. h4h5 55... e4f6 56. e3e5 56... f6h5 57. e5f5 57... h5g3 58. f5f8 58... h7b7 Given that White still has practical winning chances, I believe Black's defense could have been improved in the previous moves. I'll leave this task to the reader. 59. d1a4 59... g2f3 60. f4f5 60... f3f4 61. f5f6 61... g3e4 62. a4c2 62... e4d6 The draw is clear. 63. f8d8 63... f4e5 64. c2b3 64... d6f7 65. d8d5 65... e5f6 66. e1d2 66... b7b6 67. b3c4 67... b6d6 68. d2c3 68... d6d5 69. c4d5 69... f7d6 70. c3b4 70... d6b5 71. b4b5 71... a7a6 |
1. c2c4 | Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. | |
1... e7e5 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. |
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2. b1c3 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 |
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2... f8b4 | The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 |
3. c3d5 | The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. |
3... b4e7 | 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. |
4. g1f3 | This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. |
4... d7d6 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. |
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5. g2g3 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 |
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5... c7c6 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 |
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6. d5e7 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 |
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6... g8e7 | This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 |
7. f1g2 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. |
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7... f7f6 | Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 |
8. e1g1 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. |
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8... c8e6 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 |
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9. b2b3 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 |
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9... d6d5 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 |
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10. c1a3 | This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 |
10... e8g8 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. |
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11. a1c1 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 |
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11... a7a5 | Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 |
12. f3e1 | Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. |
12... f8e8 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. |
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13. f2f4 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 |
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13... e5f4 | The sharpest continuation. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 |
14. f1f4 | This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. |
14... d5c4 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. |
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15. b3c4 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 |
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15... e7g6 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 |
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16. f4e4 | The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 |
16... b8a6 | Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. |
17. e1c2 | Not the square I expected for the knight. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: |
17... d8c7 | A calm move. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. |
18. c2d4 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. |
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18... e6f7 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 |
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19. d2d3 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 |
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19... g6e5 | Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 |
20. d4f3 | Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. |
20... e5d7 | A strange move. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. |
21. e4e8 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. |
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21... a8e8 | An important moment in the game. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 |
22. c1b1 | This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. |
22... b7b5 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. |
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23. c4b5 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 |
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23... c7b6 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 |
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24. g1f1 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 |
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24... c6b5 | Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 |
25. a3b2 | White's position quickly goes downhill. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. |
25... f7a2 | Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. |
26. b2d4 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. |
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26... a6c5 | A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 |
27. b1c1 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. |
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27... a2b3 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 |
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28. d1e1 | The queen is going to f2. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 |
28... b3e6 | A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. |
29. e1f2 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. |
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29... e8c8 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 |
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30. d4e3 | The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 |
30... c8c7 | Preventing d3-d4. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. |
31. f3d4 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. |
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31... e6f7 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 |
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32. d4c6 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 |
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32... c7c6 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 |
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33. g2c6 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 |
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33... b6c6 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 |
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34. e3c5 | White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 |
34... h7h6 | It's useful to give some air to the king. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. |
35. f1e1 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. |
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35... b5b4 | The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 |
36. f2d4 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 |
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36... d7e5 | Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 |
37. e1d2 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. |
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37... c6g2 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 |
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38. d4f2 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 |
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38... g2d5 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 38. d4f2 |
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39. f2d4 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 38. d4f2 38... g2d5 |
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39... d5g2 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 38. d4f2 38... g2d5 39. f2d4 |
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40. d4f2 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 38. d4f2 38... g2d5 39. f2d4 39... d5g2 |
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40... g2d5 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 38. d4f2 38... g2d5 39. f2d4 39... d5g2 40. d4f2 |
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41. f2d4 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 38. d4f2 38... g2d5 39. f2d4 39... d5g2 40. d4f2 40... g2d5 |
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41... d5a2 | Great fighting spirit by Gukesh $1 Again he is the one willing to take risks. | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 38. d4f2 38... g2d5 39. f2d4 39... d5g2 40. d4f2 40... g2d5 41. f2d4 |
42. c1c2 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 38. d4f2 38... g2d5 39. f2d4 39... d5g2 40. d4f2 40... g2d5 41. f2d4 41... d5a2 Great fighting spirit by Gukesh $1 Again he is the one willing to take risks. |
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42... a2e6 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 38. d4f2 38... g2d5 39. f2d4 39... d5g2 40. d4f2 40... g2d5 41. f2d4 41... d5a2 Great fighting spirit by Gukesh $1 Again he is the one willing to take risks. 42. c1c2 |
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43. d4d8 | 1. c2c4 Continuing the match trend of a new opening per game, this time Ding Liren plays the English Opening. It certainly didn't come as a surprise to Gukesh's team. 1... e7e5 2. b1c3 2... f8b4 The third most popular move, but not worse than 2...Nf6 or 2...Nc6. 3. c3d5 The natural reply, forcing Black to defend the bishop. 3... b4e7 3...Bc5 and 3...a5 are also popular options. 4. g1f3 This move has been the favorite of strong GMs recently. 4... d7d6 5. g2g3 5... c7c6 6. d5e7 6... g8e7 This is the point of Black's previous move. The knight is developed to e7. 7. f1g2 7... f7f6 Already a new move. Instead of castling (the most natural move), Gukesh immediately prepares d6-d5. 8. e1g1 8... c8e6 9. b2b3 9... d6d5 10. c1a3 This is not the first game in which Ding has made a surprising development of the bishop to this diagonal. 10... e8g8 11. a1c1 11... a7a5 Preparing Na6-b4 or maybe a5-a4. This highlights a small problem with the bishop on a3. 12. f3e1 Ding chooses an interesting plan, more or less typical of the English Opening, although it looks a bit funny: to play f2-f4 without moving any of the central pawns. 12... f8e8 13. f2f4 13... e5f4 The sharpest continuation. 14. f1f4 This is the point of White's plan. The rook becomes active, the knight can go to d3, and we have a strange position on the board with White's central pawns still on their initial squares. 14... d5c4 15. b3c4 15... e7g6 16. f4e4 The rook occupies a central position. This is an active square, but it also leaves the rook open to an attack by the f-pawn. 16... b8a6 Gukesh decides to finish development. He could also try the advance of the f-pawn: 17. e1c2 Not the square I expected for the knight. 17... d8c7 A calm move. 18. c2d4 18... e6f7 19. d2d3 19... g6e5 Now the rook on e4 remains a bit exposed and can be attacked with Bf7-g6. 20. d4f3 Ding tries to exchange the strong knight on e5. 20... e5d7 A strange move. 21. e4e8 21... a8e8 An important moment in the game. 22. c1b1 This move doesn't fight against Black's plan. 22... b7b5 23. c4b5 23... c7b6 24. g1f1 24... c6b5 Black's queenside begins to advance and his initiative is now clear. 25. a3b2 White's position quickly goes downhill. 25... f7a2 Gukesh simply takes the pawn and has two dangerous passers on the queenside. 26. b2d4 26... a6c5 A big mistake that starts to change the trend of the game. 27. b1c1 27... a2b3 28. d1e1 The queen is going to f2. 28... b3e6 A surprising turn of events. Black is in great danger now. 29. e1f2 29... e8c8 30. d4e3 The bishop gives way to the pawn or to the knight. Both pieces will make better use of the d4-square. 30... c8c7 Preventing d3-d4. 31. f3d4 31... e6f7 32. d4c6 32... c7c6 33. g2c6 33... b6c6 34. e3c5 White has gained the exchange, but the situation is not yet clear. Black has two dangerous passed pawns and can also try to exploit the light squares near the opponent's king. Here there's a clear disparity between the computer's evaluation and what a human would normally think. It's unlikely that a human would assess this position as almost winning for White, as the computer does. 34... h7h6 It's useful to give some air to the king. 35. f1e1 35... b5b4 The natural advance for a human being, but the computer suggests the other pawn advance, something that could be dismissed on general grounds since the pawns will be blocked. But never judge a book by its cover $1 36. f2d4 36... d7e5 Suddenly Black has serious compensation and the position becomes difficult to play. With both players low on time, at this point anything could happen. 37. e1d2 37... c6g2 38. d4f2 38... g2d5 39. f2d4 39... d5g2 40. d4f2 40... g2d5 41. f2d4 41... d5a2 Great fighting spirit by Gukesh $1 Again he is the one willing to take risks. 42. c1c2 42... a2e6 |
Subsets and Splits