24 January 2021

Andrey Esipenko Beats Magnus Carlsen in Wijk aan Zee

The Russian is sharing second place.

Photo: Official website
Photo: Official website


The eighth round of the Tata Steel Masters was played in Wijk aan Zee on January 24. 

Andrey Esipenko, who played his first classical game against the World Champion Magnus Carlsen, chose the most principal line in the Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defence, and implemented a typical piece sacrifice on b5 in the middlegame. Soon the Norwegian returned the material; however, the White's position was close to winning. Esipenko achieved victory with a precise and confident play.

In his post-match interview, Andrey Esipenko called this day one of the best ones in his life. "Before the game, I wanted to play solidly, but Magnus' choice led to this sharp position. I think it was his idea to beat me with this opening line. I just played very logically and opted for the most aggressive way 8. g4 and 9. g5", said the Russian grandmaster.

Alireza Firouzja defeated Pentala Harikrishna with Black to take the sole lead in the tournament. The games Vachier-Lagrave - Van Foreest, Donchenko - Tari, Duda - Anton, Grandelius - Wojtaszek, and Caruana - Giri were drawn. 

 

 
Standings after Round 8:

1. Alireza Firouzja - 5.5
2-5. Anish Giri, Fabiano Caruana, Andrey Esipenko, Jorden Van Foreest - 5
6. Nils Grandelius - 4.5
7-8. Magnus Carlsen, Pentala Harikrishna - 4
9. Radoslaw Wojtaszek - 3.5
10-13. Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Aryan Tari, David Anton - 3
14. Alexander Donchenko - 2.5.

January 25 is a rest day.

Round 9 pairings:

Giri - Vachier-Lagrave, Wojtaszek - Caruana, Carlsen - Grandelius, Firouzja - Esipenko, Anton - Harikrishna, Tari - Duda, Van Foreest - Donchenko

Official website