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  17. d2c4  17... d5b4 This move gives the piece back and has the appearance of a desperate attempt to get into an endgame, whatever the cost. 18. d3b1 This is a mystery moment for me. Esipenko could enter an endgame with a pawn up and great winning chances, but instead he preferred to play with the initiative in a material-less position. 18... b6c5  19. b2g7  19... h8g8  20. b1h7 [%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is an inaccuracy. 20... g8g7  21. h7g7  21... b8d7 Black's position remains difficult, but not as much as it was before. 22. g7h8  22... e7f8  23. a4a5 [%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important prophylactic move, avoiding a6-a5 and thus leaving the knight on b4 in an unstable situation. 23... a8b8  24. a1b1  24... b7c8  25. b1b2 [%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I love this kind of move. White wants to bring the rook to the d-file. 25... c5g5 [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The position is very complicated, and mistakes are inevitable. It is even more difficult to play with Black, as any error is fatal.