1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. g1f3  3... d7d5  4. g2g3  4... d5c4  5. f1g2  5... c7c6 The game begins as a Catalan opening, but now we have a transposition to a line that often occurs in the Semi-Slav move order where White sacrifices the pawn on c4. This leads to extremely complicated and risky positions. 6. e1g1  6... b7b5  7. a2a4  7... c8b7  8. f3e5  8... a7a6  9. b2b3  9... c4b3  10. d1b3  10... d8d4  11. c1b2  11... d4b4  12. b3c2  12... b4c5  13. c2d3  13... f8e7  14. b1d2 This is all theory, and it's best not to go too deep in the moves leading to this position since there's a lot to analyze in the rest of the game. The only thing I can say is that after the move is played, the advantage is already firmly in White's hands, so this is a good moment to look for an alternative. 14... f6d5 [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 15. f1c1 There is a very tempting alternative as well. Judging by the time Esipenko thought here, it's clear he was already out of prep. 15... c5b6  16. e5c4 [%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent knight sacrifice. The queenside is exposed, and the g- and h-pawns will fall, meaning the black king no longer has a safe haven. 16... b5c4 