[blackpill0w]

It should be noted that one of the reasons this WCC was exciting is because of Richard Rapport who helped Ding Liren with his preparation, he is well know for being creative with his openings, and his contributions were pretty obvious in games (we even saw a London System), specially that Ding is usually predictable.

[Bostonian]

Yes, but I still don't see the point of the 4.h3 novelty, which wastes a move. Ding lost that game badly.

[mtlmtlmtlmtl]

Weirdly enough, the opening actually turned out okay for Ding there, but instead of plcing Nxc5 with a stable advantage he went for the double edged Nxf6 and he played poorly in that game.

Ding had a really bad start though, he really wasn't himself, especially in the first two games. Not sitting at the board much which is very unlike him.

I think if Nepo had played something more challenging in game 1 than the exhange variation he would've probably won the game and possibly been able to kill Ding off while he was still settling into the match.