Ding Liren v Dommaraju Gukesh Game 8

1. c4 {An English, and why not? we have not yet seen this opening in this match.} 1... e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 Be7 {A new position to both players. Black will get in c6 with tempo and d5,} 4. Nf3 d6 {The top guys prefer 5.d4 here but...} 5. g3 {...this move is also a common choice.} 5... c6 6. Nxe7 Nxe7 {The two Bishop are not so crucial here and as the time taken suggests this was part of Black's prep.} 7. Bg2 f6 {After 10 seconds. This new idea is not to leave the e5 pawn hanging after d5.} 8. O-O {After 13 minutes by Ding.} 8... Be6 {To plug the a2-g8 diagonal and boost cover for d5.} 9. b3 {Ding took 6 minutes on this or probably 9...Qc2.} 9... d5 {I did not expect this lunge before 0-0 but it is playable. We are still in Gukesh’s prep.} 10. Ba3 O-O 11. Rc1 {Gukesh now slows down as both sides draw up their battle formations.} 11... a5 {A standard idea v b3 formations.} 12. Ne1 {Ding has an idea on how disturb Black impressive centre.} 12... Re8 {Breaking the pin on the e7 Knight.} 13. f4 {Ding's centre busting idea. f2-f4 in any position is always a big decision. (see later)} 13... exf4 14. Rxf4 dxc4 15. bxc4 {Ding spent 12 minutes on this obvious move. What else was he thinking about? 15.Re4} 15... Ng6 16. Re4 {A brassy Rook skipping along the 4th rank. in the opening. You do not see that everyday.} 16... Na6 17. Nc2 {To hold back Nb4 ideas by Black. This Knight is not yet finished hopping about.} 17... Qc7 18. Nd4 Bf7 19. d3 Ne5 {First long think by Gukesh. Both players avoiding piece trades to keep the tension.} 20. Nf3 {The Knight is back where it started.} 20... Nd7 21. Rxe8+ {White cracks first but there is nothing wrong with this move.} 21... Rxe8 22. Rb1 {A slack move after 30 seconds. This was when Ding should have taken his time. 22.Qc2 was better.} 22... b5 {A move 22...Rb1 was meant to have stopped.} 23. cxb5 {Now the dangers of an f2-f4 push surface. You always have to consider a check on the a7-g1 diagonal.} 23... Qb6+ 24. Kf1 {The White King goes this way to add extra protection to the e2 pawn.} 24... cxb5 {The Q-side pawns look very good, Ding makes them look even better going for activity.} 25. Bb2 {Giving up the a2 pawn for complications. Now the Q-side pawns look awesome.} 25... Bxa2 26. Bd4 {Ding's idea. 26...Qb8 27. Ra1 wins back the a-pawn.} 26... Nac5 {Apparently 26...Ndc5 was better but who is not going to move the Knight on the rim to c5.} 27. Rc1 {Ding is hoping this pin creates enough counterplay v those pawns.} 27... Bb3 {White had Qc2 and Bh3 ideas.} 28. Qe1 {But the Queen can still apply pin pressure from f2.} 28... Be6 {The Bishop has gone here to put off White playing Bh3 and Bxd7} 29. Qf2 Rc8 30. Be3 {Dropping back to defend the Rook in case Black has any unpinning Knight ticks.} 30... Rc7 31. Nd4 Bf7 32. Nc6 {Black has to give up the exchange but those passed pawns are good compensation.} 32... Rxc6 33. Bxc6 Qxc6 34. Bxc5 h6 {Luft! Again I shall refrain from mentioning how many RHP players have been back rank mated.} 35. Ke1 {wary of Qh1+ and Qxc1 ideas.} 35... b4 {Here come the pawns.} 36. Qd4 {I predicted here White will have to give back the exchange to stop those pawns.} 36... Ne5 {A wonderful move by Gukesh. 37.Qd8+ Kh7 38,Qxa5 Nxd3+ is a least a perpetual check.} 37. Kd2 {Ding is alert to the danger.} 37... Qg2 {Now 38...Nf3+ is on the board.} 38. Qf2 Qd5 39. Qd4 Qg2 40. Qf2 {Ding is happy to draw, If not he will have to give the exchange for one of those Q-side pawns.} 40... Qd5 41. Qd4 {Move 41. Now the players have any time remaining plus 30 minutes and a 30 second increments for the rest of the game.} 41... Qa2+ {Gukesh refuses the draw with 41,,,Qg2.} 42. Rc2 Qe6 {Now White can pick off the a-pawn.} 43. Qd8+ Kh7 44. Qxa5 b3 {45.Rb2 Qd5 with Nc4+ ideas.} 45. Rc1 Qd5 {Now Nc4+ is not a threat White now has to prevent b2 and then Nc4+} 46. Qb4 Qg2 47. Qe4+ {Going into a forced draw sequence.} 47... Qxe4 48. dxe4 b2 49. Rb1 Ba2 50. Rxb2 Nc4+ 51. Kc3 Nxb2 {After 52.Kxb2 the opposite coloured Bishops will draw.} *