All posts tagged: Andrey

Candidates challenger Andrey Esipenko and his love for Russian Premiership football team FC Rostov

Candidates challenger Andrey Esipenko and his love for Russian Premiership football team FC Rostov

Published by Webster

3 min readMar 20, 2026 12:23 PM IST He might’ve snuck into the chess Candidates at the last moment finishing third at the World Cup. But Andrey Esipenko ensured that at least one Russian represented the plateauing powerhouse of chess, after Ian Nepomniatchi couldn’t make the grade. At Elo 2698, he’s dropped from his peak with 2723 in March 2022, but he is ranked World No 33 (again down from 22 in March 2022). Esipenko nevertheless lines up at Cyprus, alongside seven others, with Americans Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura as favourites, and Indian R Praggnanandhaa and Chinese Wei Yi as dark horses. Recently married at 23, and a lover of travel, Esipenko has found the going not-so-easy in chess, after he became GM at age 16. There’s no dearth of competitive spirit in him, as he rejoices in wins over arch rivals that he dubs “eliminating.” In true Russian Lev Yashin-tradition, he also takes immense pride in his goalkeeping abilities on a football patch of a field. In December of 2021 in fact, he …

Russia’s Andrey Esipenko defeats Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev to book Candidates spot | Chess News

Russia’s Andrey Esipenko defeats Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev to book Candidates spot | Chess News

Published by Webster

A clinical Andrey Esipenko proved a touch too difficult for Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev to handle, as the Russian defeated him in both Classical games of the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 third-place playoff in Goa. With this victory, Esipenko secured the third and final Candidates spot from the event on Tuesday. After beating Yakubboev with the white pieces in Game 1, Esipenko needed only a draw in Game 2 to qualify for the eight-player World Championship challenger event in Cyprus. With no option but to create magic over the board to force tiebreaks, Yakubboev seemed to try too hard. His desperation showed when he sacrificed a bishop on just the 11th move, a decision that instantly swung the game in the Russian’s favour. A few minutes and several accurate moves later, Esipenko had extinguished Yakubboev’s Candidates hopes, reducing them to a far-fetched dream. Although Yakubboev continued until the 26th move, he ultimately resigned in a mate-in-six position for Esipenko. An exhausted Esipenko seemed relieved after the much-needed win, following the heartbreak of his semifinal, where …

FIDE World Cup 2025: Andrey Esipenko secures bronze and Candidates spot

FIDE World Cup 2025: Andrey Esipenko secures bronze and Candidates spot

Published by Webster

The FIDE World Cup Goa 2025 final between GM Wei Yi and GM Javokhir Sindarov will head to a tiebreak after the players opted for a safe draw in the second game as well, while GM Andrey Esipenko secured a spot at the Candidates after beating Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev in the third place play-off on Tuesday. In the clash for the coveted Viswanathan Anand Cup, Wei and Sindarov were not willing to take any risk. Having drawn the opening game with black, the Chinese played the same line his opponent had opted for in the semi-final against Yakubboev and settled for a quick draw after the mandatory 30 moves. #News | Andrey Esipenko wins bronze at #FIDEWorldCup🥉 Competing under the neutral flag, Esipenko beats Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev 2-0 in the third-place match to secure a spot at the 2026 Candidates👏 The gold medal match between Javokhir Sindarov & Wei Yei will be… pic.twitter.com/UZ42amDoaT — The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) November 25, 2025 The play-off for the third place was a much lively affair as Yakubboev took risks …

Candidates challenger Andrey Esipenko and his love for Russian Premiership football team FC Rostov

FIDE World Cup 2025: Andrey Esipenko rebounds after semifinal heartbreak, moves closer to Candidates spot | Chess News

Published by Webster

A quick turnaround is never easy, especially after a one-move blunder in a winning position costs you a chance to fight for the title. This was the reality for Russia’s Andrey Esipenko in the final round of the 2025 FIDE Chess World Cup in Goa. Following a brutal semifinal tiebreak loss to China’s Wei Yi, Esipenko had to immediately regroup to face Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev for the crucial third-place playoff. Esipenko rose to the challenge, striking back instantly to beat Yakubboev and take a crucial 1-0 lead on Monday. He is now just a draw away from becoming the sixth confirmed participant for the Candidates tournament. The Russian gained an early advantage with white pieces in the Sicilian Defense game after Yakubboev made two questionable moves – the dubious bishop placements on move 12 (12…Bd5?) and move 13 (13…Be7). These inaccuracies cost the Uzbek dearly, leaving him 30 minutes behind on the clock. Although Esipenko continued to grind and initiated exchanges, he lost the edge of his position. His saving grace was his significant time …

Alexander Zverev, Aryna Sabalenka Battle Through In Madrid Open, Andrey Rublev Defence Over

Alexander Zverev, Aryna Sabalenka Battle Through In Madrid Open, Andrey Rublev Defence Over

Published by Webster

World number two Alexander Zverev was taken to the limit by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a gripping Madrid Open third round battle on Sunday, progressing 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/0). The Spaniard, roared on by the partisan home crowd, broke in the first and third games to claim the first set with ease. Zverev fought to get back on serve after falling a break behind at the start of the third, and saved two break points in the ninth game before a tie-break. The German won it and was stronger in the third set, breaking for a 5-4 lead. However serving for the match, Zverev was broken to love by the in-form Davidovich Fokina, ranked 29th, but it was his last hurrah as the top seed dominated the second tie-break. “The first set wasn’t my best tennis, but in sport it can change very quickly, I was down a set and a break but I kept fighting and I’m very happy for the win,” Zverev told TVE. “It was a very tough win… …

’Scared’, ‘stressful’, ‘political’- Tennis players from Andrey Rublev to Jasmine Paolini open up at Madrid Masters 1000

’Scared’, ‘stressful’, ‘political’- Tennis players from Andrey Rublev to Jasmine Paolini open up at Madrid Masters 1000

Published by Webster

Novak Djokovic is gunning for his 100th title at the Madrid Masters 1000 that began on April 23rd but the focus of several tennis players has been about the doping issue that has plagued the sport. The Madrid Masters is the last tournament before the return of Jannik Sinner, who will finish his three-month suspension for his double positive test last year on May 4. The world No. 8, the Russian and defending champion at Madrid Masters 1000 Andrey Rublev said he was “scared”. “The doping issue scares me quite a bit. We players have to say where we are every day, and you have to remember where you’ve been, because if you forget and they come for a test and you’re not there, it’s a foul. I don’t think it’s fair. We’re very overwhelmed by this issue.” Story continues below this ad He says he is worried about accidentally ingesting a banned substance. “As time has passed, my fear of taking anything has grown. If I’m sick, I don’t take anything because I’m afraid …

Watch: Andrey Rublev smashes racquet against his knee seven times, leaves it bleeding in a mid-match meltdown | Tennis News

Watch: Andrey Rublev smashes racquet against his knee seven times, leaves it bleeding in a mid-match meltdown | Tennis News

Published by Webster

Before he lost the match, Andrey Rublev lost his temper. Seeded sixth at the Paris Masters, the Russian lost to Francisco Cerundolo 6-7 (6), 6-7 (5) in the second round; a defeat that also severely dented his hopes to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals. However, during the two-hour tie, Rublev cut a frustrated figure. He routinely shouted at himself, cursed and in a bout of anger, he smashed his racquet against his left knee at least seven times in succession. He hit himself so fiercely that it left his knee bleeding. 🇷🇺 “SHUUUUUUUT UP” Un enfant a encouragé Rublev pendant son service face à Cerundolo. En plus le public de Bercy est tellement proche 🤯pic.twitter.com/UcUv75TI4f — TennisTemple (@tennistemple) October 29, 2024 The incident took place in the third game of the second set, when one of his forehand returns did not cross the net. It wasn’t the only time Rublev lost his cool during the match. Leading 5-3 in the first set but down love-30 on his serve, Rublev hit another forehand into the …

Stan Wawrinka, 39, Ousts Top Seed Andrey Rublev To Reach Stockholm Semis

Stan Wawrinka, 39, Ousts Top Seed Andrey Rublev To Reach Stockholm Semis

Published by Webster

File photo of Stan Wawrinka© AFP Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka rolled back the years on Friday as the 39-year-old ousted top seed Andrey Rublev to reach the Stockholm semi-finals. Wawrinka, currently ranked 217th in the world, battled past seventh-ranked Russian Rublev, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) to notch his first win over a top-10 player this year. The Swiss player next meets US fourth seed Tommy Paul, the 2021 Stockholm champion, who beat Serb Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6 (9/7), 6-2. “I cannot change my age, but most important for me is that when I enter the court, I always try to fight,” said Wawrinka, the third-oldest semi-finalist in modern ATP Tour history behind Jimmy Connors and Ivo Karlovic. “I try to improve and enjoy what I am doing. The reason I keep going is to play matches like this, with so many people giving me good energy on the court, and I’m super happy to have the chance to play one more match tomorrow.” The former world number three fired down 14 aces, converting his first match …

Want to lift I-League trophy in front of home fans in Kolkata, says Mohammedan Sporting coach Andrey Chernyshov

Published by Webster

Scenes of joy erupted at the SSA Stadium in Shillong, on Saturday, April 6, 2024, where Mohammedan Sporting defeated Shillong Lajong 2-1 to claim their maiden I-League title. It was a hard-fought game where Mohammedan Sporting needed a point to secure the title, but Shillong Lajong gave it everything to try and stop their opponents. In the end, however, two brilliant goals by Alexis Nahuel Gomez and Evgenii Kozlov got them over the line. The Black and White Brigade have been in the I-League before, but winning the competition for the first time is a special feeling for everyone associated with the Kolkata club. 🏆𝐈-𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑-𝟐𝟒 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 – 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐂 The Black and White Brigade lift their first-ever I-League trophy✨ The Kolkata side have also earned promotion to the Indian Super League 🔼#IndianFootball⚽️| #ILeague🏆| #JaanJaanMohammedan ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/A3AZaiYtRq — The Bridge Football (@bridge_football) April 6, 2024 An exhausted, yet cheerful Andrey Chernyshov, head coach of Mohammedan Sporting, said after the match, “This is a historic moment for the club. We have had to fight for this …

Czech Teenager Jakub Mensik Stuns Top Seed Andrey Rublev At Qatar Open

Published by Webster

Jakub Mensik in action© AFP Czech teenager Jakub Mensik stunned top seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets at the Qatar Open on Thursday to reach his maiden ATP semi-final and guarantee a spot in the world’s top 100 for the first time. The 18-year-old came through 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) against the fifth-ranked Rublev, a day after defeating three-time Grand Slam title winner Andy Murray. “It’s just been an incredible week. From the beginning I played very well and I knew I could play with the big players. It’s an amazing feeling to reach the semi-finals after beating those good players,” said wildcard Mensik who arrived in the Gulf ranked at 116. “But the job is not done yet. Hopefully I can play like this again in the semis and go on to make the final.” With his one-hour, 38-minute win on Thursday, Mensik became the youngest player to defeat a top-five player since Carlos Alcaraz overcame Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2021 US Open.  Mensik will face 2018 champion Gael Monfils for a place …