Gukesh vs. Ding, Game 3 Opening: Queens off, but much to play for.

The third game of the 2024 Chess World Championship begins with another very classic opening, the Queen’s Gambit Declined. Gukesh, as White, played the first unexpected move with 7. h3!?, which has only been played a handful of times, including by Kramnik and Yu Yangyi in 2023. Commentator Judit Polgar correctly advised that the point was not so much to stop Black from playing Bg4, but rather for White to play g4! Indeed he did on move 9, prompting Ding to go down nearly half an hour on the clock, the third straight game the player with Black has done so.

The first 13 moves of game 3 are given below, and they are still following Kramnik-Erigaisi, 2023. Follow the game live on Lichess, or on stream with commentary by Grandmasters Judit Polgar and Robert Hess.