"The difference between top and strong players is very small now"
Andrey Esipenko has already won five mini-matches at the World Cup, which is taking place in Goa these days. He managed to pass Nijat Abasov, Puye Idani, Vincent Kaymer, Alexey Grebnev and Sam Shankland. There is another opponent from the top 10 of the starting list (after Kaymer) - Wei Yi, who left the local favorite Arjun Erigaysi out of business. Before the most important match at this stage of Esipenko's career, which separates him from entering the 2026 candidates tournament, Izvestia and Sport–Express spoke with the coach of the Russian national team, Alexander Ryazantsev, who knows Andrey's capabilities very well.
"I think the match between Esipenko and Wei Yi will end in a tie-break."
— Was it hard watching Andrey's meeting with Sam Shankland?
— The match turned out to be tense, although in general Andrey kept the situation under control. Even the defeat in the second game of the first rapid part did not affect him in any way. It didn't unsettle me, as many might have thought. The third and fourth parts in his performance were of very high quality. Psychologically, Andrey was ready for such a development. However, it was clear from the other mini-matches of this World Cup. For example, when our grandmaster won back the order to play classics with Puyo Idani.
— Esipenko went through four of his five opponents in India in a tie-break. Although he himself admitted several times that rapid chess and blitz are not his forte. Does it turn out that this is a myth?
— It all depends on the format of the tournament. If we take the rapid and blitz World Championships specifically, then Andrey has not yet shown significant results at them. First of all, I'm talking about medals. On the other hand, this year he made it to the top 8 and took part in the final of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. This shows that Andrey has become more confident in this game. Plus, the World Cup has its own specifics. This is a knockout system where mini-matches of two, four, six or more games with the same opponent are waiting for you. This introduces a certain psychological specificity. Therefore, I would separate the tiebreak at the World Cup and just rapid chess.
— Next, Esipenko will face Wei Yi, the highest—rated opponent of the remaining ones. In your opinion, how will their mini-match go?
— It is clear that it will be difficult. Wei Yi is in great shape. In my opinion, he is the strongest chess player in China, considering that the 26-year-old grandmaster has been demonstrating a stable game over the past few years. Holds a high rating, practically does not make mistakes, acts well as the second number, playing very strong and reliable openings. It won't be easy to break through. It can be seen that Wei Yi is ready to play a tie-break match with Erigaisi, which clearly showed. The representative of China skillfully acted as the second number and used the opponent's mistakes. He didn't manage to win in the first game, although there were chances, and in the second he didn't miss his opportunity.
Therefore, answering your question, I think that the match between Andrey and Wei Yi will also end in a tie-break. It will be difficult and protracted. The Chinese grandmaster will play reliably and will try to take advantage of the mistakes of the Russian. As it was in the match with Samuel Sevyan. Then he said that he wanted to play a relatively boring game with white in order to test his opponent. There were no big ambitions, but Sevyan made a mistake and lost.
— Does Esipenko still have a chance to win?
— Absolutely. Andrey plays the tournament very well and is able to beat any chess player in the world. Plus, do not forget that three tickets to the candidates tournament are being played. Yes, winning the World Cup is a special story, but second and third place are also great results. Unfortunately, one of the four semifinalists will be left out. So the whole struggle is still ahead, and the next step needs to be taken. It's too early to relax twice. Until the sporting task is completed, we must continue the fight to the end.
"Grebnev's debut in the top 100 is great, but definitely not the limit"
— Is the World Cup the number two prize in world chess after the title of world champion in classics?
— I think there is no such hierarchy. Someone will say that the rapid and blitz World Cup titles should be put in second place. Someone will name the World Cup, and many will agree with him. Still, this is a huge creative achievement. If you look at the names of the people who have won these knockout tournaments, you will see exceptionally outstanding players.
— Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Yakubboev will meet in the second semi-final. That is, one of the representatives of Uzbekistan has guaranteed himself a place in the candidates' tournament...
— Congratulations to all chess fans of Uzbekistan! Their player's historic entry into the candidates tournament is an important achievement. Plus, there is a possibility that Sindarov and Yakubboev will go to Cyprus together. These are the fruits of the great work carried out by the Chess Federation of Uzbekistan. We saw this in the victorious Olympics and the confident game of Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who was able to gain a foothold in the top 10 of the strongest chess players in the world. They're great, of course.
— How do you feel about the fact that "people from the people" were selected for the candidate list? Mattias Blubaum, one of the two Uzbek grandmasters. Is this a plus for chess?
— Here I would like to focus on another point. Rating is now a relative concept. It does not always reflect the real strength of chess players. There is deflation, there are many open tournaments where you would rather lower your rating than raise it. There are closed circles where it is easier to keep the rating. Chess is changing a lot, and there is a clear bias. The ranking of grandmasters who only play closed tournaments no longer reflects their playing strengths.
The 2025 World Cup has shown this once again. How many elite grandmasters were eliminated in the early stages! So the difference between the top and the strong players is quite insignificant. To be called a top, you have to prove it all the time. The average and "pre-top" grids have increased significantly. There are a lot of chess players who play very tightly and strongly. It is noticeably more than five and even more so ten years ago.
As for Bluebaum, he made it to the candidates tournament in a fair selection and earned this right. Almost all the strongest players played in the "Big Swiss 2025". The sporting principle is above all. I will say the same about the representatives of Uzbekistan. It's great that young players have the opportunity to qualify for the coveted eight through open tournaments.
— I recently asked you about Alexey Grebnev, and you said that he is having a very strong year. Following the results of the World Cup, Alexey will make his debut in the top 100.
— In India, Alexey passed strong opponents who were de facto considered favorites. But it was clear that in all the games Lyosha was very confident and pushed. This includes such renowned masters as David Navara and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. So we can already say about him that he is an experienced fighter who has passed a number of strong tournaments. He's ready to play hardball, his nervous system is ready for it.
The tie-break with Vachier-Lagrave was significant. And in the match with Andrey Grebnev, he showed strong athletic qualities. It was very difficult for Esipenko. In general, Lyosha left a very good impression of his game. Making your debut in the top 100 is great, but definitely not the limit. I am sure that now he will storm the top 50, the 2,700 mark. He can do it.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
