Elite chess explained, move by move
Dates
28 Mar — 16 Apr 2026
Location
Paphos, CY
Field
8 players
Format
Double round-robin
Time control
Classical
Rounds
14 · 14 played
Decisive
32%
Avg. rating
2749

Round 4 · 1 Apr 2026

Esipenko — Giri

The Matchup

White
Andrey EsipenkoCredit
🇷🇺RUS
8th · 4.5

Andrey Esipenko

5.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½LL
Elo2698

A direct, tactical Russian grandmaster with a gift for turning small opening edges into sharp, double-edged battles.

Games in this event →
0–1Black wins
Black
Anish GiriCredit
🇳🇱NED
2nd · 8.5

Anish Giri

1.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½W
Elo2753

Dutch chess's perennial contender, valued for creative opening ideas, rapid adaptation, and razor-sharp theoretical preparation.

Games in this event →
Scroll to see the game

Key Moments

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation
BlackGiriNED2753
WhiteEsipenkoRUS2698
B
+0.0W

Classical factors on this position

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Checks, captures, and threats for the side to move

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The Moves

Other lines considered

From the crossroads before this move — engine and player perspectives.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

f4f2f4
+0.2280%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD80% would play this move

The Maia model estimates how often 2200-rated players choose this move from this position.

What changed

Threatening
Board structure

Immediate impact

Less active pieces for White
Qd2d1d2
+0.179%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD9% would play this move

The Maia model estimates how often 2200-rated players choose this move from this position.

What changed

Threatening

Immediate impact

Qf3d1f3
+0.152%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD2% would play this move

The Maia model estimates how often 2200-rated players choose this move from this position.

What changed

Threatening

Immediate impact

Bg5 is active