Featured is an instructive chess game between Andrey Esipenko and Nodirbek Yakubboev from the Third Place Match of the 2025 FIDE World Cup. Out of a Sicilian Defense, Four Knights, we reach the Exchange Variation with 6. Nxc6. Several key moments arise early in the middlegame, with both players missing optimal continuations. The sequence beginning with 16. Ng3 triggers a series of exchanges that steer the game into a minor-piece imbalanced endgame which is objectively equal, yet practically easier for White to handle. Esipenko goes on to demonstrate the strength of the bishop over the knight in a structure with pawns remaining on both wings.
#FIDEWorldCup #AndreyEsipenko #Nodirbek Yakubboev
Image of Andrey Esipenko by Lennart Ootes
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I’m a self-taught National Master in chess out of Pennsylvania, USA who was introduced to the game by my father in 1988 at the age of 8. The purpose of this channel is to share my knowledge of chess to help others improve their game. I enjoy continuing to improve my understanding of this great game, albeit slowly. Consider subscribing here on YouTube for frequent content, and/or connecting via any or all the below social medias. Your support is greatly appreciated. Take care, bye. 🙂
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PGN
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Bb7 9. Bd3 Qc7 10. f4 Nb4 11. Be2 c5 12. Bf3 Bd5 13. O-O Be7 14. c3 Nc6 15. Be3 O-O 16. Ng3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 d5 18. exd6 Bxd6 19. f5 Bxg3 20. Qxg3 Qxg3 21. hxg3 c4 22. fxe6 fxe6 23. Rxf8+ Rxf8 24. Rd1 Rb8 25. Rd6 Ne5 26. Rxe6 Ng4 27. Bc1 Rd8 28. Kf1 Kf7 29. Re2 Rd5 30. Ke1 Ne5 31. b3 Nd3+ 32. Kd1 h5 33. Bd2 Ra5 34. Be3 a6 35. bxc4 Re5 36. Bd4 Rg5 37. Kc2 Rxg3 38. Be3