Full Name: Andrey Yuryevich Esipenko

Full Name: Andrey Yuryevich Esipenko

Peak FIDE Rating: 2723 (October 2021)

Active Since: 2017 (at elite level)

Federation: Russia

Player Description:

Andrey Esipenko is one of Russia’s brightest young grandmasters, known for his fearless style and ability to take down giants of the game. Rising through the junior ranks with impressive performances, he made headlines in 2021 by defeating Magnus Carlsen in a classical game at the Tata Steel Masters, a victory that instantly placed him among the most talked-about talents in world chess. As of now, the 24 year old has an ELO rating of 2684 in classical chess, placing him to be one of the most formidable chess players from Russia, just below the veteran Nepomniachtchi.

Career Scorecard:

World Championship Cycle Appearances: Regular participant in the FIDE World Cup (notably reached Round of 16 in 2021 and 2023).

National Championships: Strong showings in Russian Championships, including a runner-up finish in the Russian Superfinal (2020).

European U10 Chess Championship Champion: Esipenko claimed the continental title in the Under-10 category in 2012.

European U16 Chess Championship Champion: He emerged victorious in the Under-16 European Championship in 2017.

World U16 Chess Championship Champion: In the same year (2017), Esipenko also secured the World Under-16 Championship—a double crown year.

Olympiad Medals: Represented Russia in youth events; expected to feature prominently in future Olympiads.

FIDE Online Olympiad (Team Event) – Gold Medal: Esipenko contributed to Russia’s victory in the first-ever FIDE Online Olympiad, earning a team gold medal.

Tournaments Won:

European Youth Chess Champion (2017, U16), Aeroflot Open runner-up (2019), Multiple youth-level titles across Europe.

Memorable Game:

Esipenko vs Carlsen, Tata Steel Masters 2021 – A legendary win in classical chess, where Esipenko dismantled the World Champion with surgical precision in a Sicilian. A knight sack in the middle game against the great Magnus Carlsen needs not only guts, but also laser-sharp precision in calculation; the youngster proved he has both in his arsenal when he prompted a resignation from Carlsen by the 38th move. The match is linked below.