Game 4: 2023 World Chess Championship | Ding vs Nepomniachtchi

Featured is Game 4 between Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi from the 2023 World Chess Championship match. It’s another game with the white pieces for Ding Liren, and another new opening in the match with 1.c4 (English Opening). After only six moves, both a structural imbalance and a minor piece imbalance surface, with Ding Liren assuming doubled c-pawns and the bishop pair. We follow a game played in 2013 by Ding's second, Richard Rapport, with play deviating on move 11. Going into Game 4, Ding trails with 1 point to Nepomniachtchi's 2 points. The 2023 World Chess Championship is a best of 14-game match being played in Astana, Kazakhstan. The first player to earn 7.5 points will receive the lion's share (60%) of the approximately $2.2 million prize pool and claim the most prestigious title in chess: 'World Chess Champion'.

Ding Liren vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, Game 4

Below the video I have highlighted 3 positions
https://youtu.be/ZsB1bDZM-jM

Question 1 of 3: What is the primary function of 7. e4?

Question 2 of 3: What is wrong with 9. Nxe5?

Question 3 of 3: What is white's best reply to 30...c5?

Closing words

Thank you in advance for any likes and/or follows you may give. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the forum below. You can view all past and future games of this match here. I hope you have, in some way, benefited from this post. Thank you for taking the time to read.
-Jerry