1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. b1c3  3... f8b4 The Nimzo-Indian defense was quite popular in The Netherlands in the past couple of weeks. 4. a2a3  4... b4c3  5. b2c3  5... c7c5 The first mini-thought by Esipenko. Which line would be most unpleasant for his lesser experienced opponent? 6. e2e3  6... b8c6  7. f1d3  7... e8g8  8. g1e2  8... b7b6  9. e3e4  9... f6e8 A notable maneuver that aims to attack c4 whenever a chance is given, but also intends to meet the dangerous f2-f4 thrust with an identical f7-f5 block. 10. e1g1  10... c8a6  11. f2f4  11... f7f5 There it is. 12. e4f5  12... e6f5  13. d4c5 Better a damaged pawn structure, with diagonals for the bishops, than a blocked one! 13... b6c5  14. c1e3  14... d7d6  15. e2g3  15... c6e7 Here and on the next few moves, Esipenko will try to avoid the weakening g7-g6 move. 16. d1f3 This is a novelty. 16... e8c7 Still avoiding g7-g6. 17. a1b1  17... d8d7 The queen is heading to the a4-square. Therefore... 18. f1e1  18... g7g6 Finally, Esipenko decided that he cannot go without this push. 19. e3f2  19... e7c8 Black wants to keep more pieces on the board and put pressure, at last, on the weak c4-pawn. 20. g3f1 After provoking a kingside weakness, the horse steps back to open the road for the bishop. In the meantime, it gets closer to the fabulous d5-outpost. 20... c8b6  21. f1e3  21... a8e8  22. f2h4  22... d7g7  23. b1c1  23... e8e6  24. a3a4 A strong move! In return for the pawn, the bishop on h4 gets a couple of strong supporters. 24... b6a4  25. e3d5 Black already faces serious problems. 25... a6b7  26. e1e6  26... c7e6  27. c1e1  27... g7d7  28. f3g3  28... f8f7 And Black finds nothing better but to sacrifice the exchange!