[Event "FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2026.04.01"] [Round "4"] [White "Esipenko, Andrey"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2698"] [WhiteFideId "-1"] [BlackElo "2753"] [BlackFideId "-1"] [TimeControl "40/7200:1800+30"] [Annotator "WGM Katerina Nemcova"] [GameId "2294470939813874"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "B95"] [Opening "Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation"] [StudyName "2026 Candidates Rounds 1-11"] [ChapterName "Esipenko, Andrey - Giri, Anish"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/L5mZq8u7/WC6JutZb"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Bd3!? { An unusual continuation for White, but Anish Giri, an expert in the Najdorf, was very well-prepared for it. } 7... Be7 8. Qe2 Nxe4!? { Black opts for complications and an exciting game. } 9. Nxe4 Bxg5 10. Nf5 Be7 (10... exf5 { This is also a playable option. } 11. Nxg5+ Kf8 12. Qd2 h6 $13 { ½-½ Rodin,M (2366)-Panarin,M (2438) Moscow Aeroflot op-B 2004 (2) }) 11. Nxg7+ Kd7! $146 { Giri responds immediately with this strong novelty, clearly showing his preparation in this line. } (11... Kf8?! { This was played previously. White quickly developed and gained a positional advantage. } 12. Nh5 d5?! 13. Neg3 Nc6 14. O-O $16 { ½-½ Orgovan,S (2240)-Stempin,P (2255) Bydgoszcz U20 1980 }) 12. O-O Nc6 13. c4 Kc7 (13... h5!? 14. Nxh5 (14. Rad1?! Qf8! 15. Nxh5 f5 16. Nc3 Kc7 $17 { Black is a pawn down but has strong kingside compensation and will soon create pressure along the open lines. }) 14... f5! 15. Neg3 Kc7 $44 { This is the kind of position Sicilian players dream of — chaotic, with strong attacking chances against the white king. The activity compensates for the pawn. }) 14. Nh5 Bd7 15. Rfd1 Rc8 16. b4! Nxb4 { Taking the pawn looks risky, but declining it is not without problems either. } (16... Kb8 { If Black declines, White continues pushing forward. } 17. Qb2 $13) 17. Rab1 Nxd3?! { Not the most accurate move, as Black could gain tempo by developing the bishop. However, such nuances are difficult to spot in a practical game. } (17... Ba4 18. Rd2 Nxd3 19. Rxd3 (19. Qxd3?! { Still problematic, similar to the game. }) 19... Kb8 20. Ra3! d5! { A very precise engine line that is difficult to find over the board, as White's rooks appear intimidating. }) 18. Qxd3? { The engine strongly dislikes this move. After precise play, Black takes control of the game. } (18. Rxd3! { The best move, maintaining White's edge. White plans c4-c5, taking control over the d-file. However, it is important to see the follow-up to fully understand the strength of the idea. } 18... Bc6 19. c5! d5 20. Ng5! Bxg5?? (20... Qg8! 21. Qe5+ { with a slight edge for White at the top level, though still complicated for most players. }) 21. Qe5+ Kd7 22. Qd6+ Ke8 23. Ng7#) 18... Ba4! 19. Rd2 Kb8 20. Rdb2 Bc6! { At first glance, it may seem that White has the advantage. However, the attack has run out of momentum, while Black is ready to take over on the kingside and in the center. } 21. c5 dxc5 22. Qxa6 Qd5 $19 { Giri keeps his composure — his king is safe, and the focus shifts to attacking the white king. } 23. f3 Rc7 24. Nhg3 Rd8 25. Nf2 c4! $19 { Black is completely winning. From here, the game becomes a model example of advancing the passed c-pawn. } 26. Nge4 f5 27. Nc3 Qc5 28. Re2 Bf6 29. Na4 Bxa4 30. Qxa4 c3 31. Qc2 Bg5 32. Kf1 Qc4 33. Rd1 Rd2 34. Rxd2 cxd2 { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1