Alexei Shirov vs Andrey Esipenko
GM Alexei Shirov (2601) · GM Andrey Esipenko (2678)
Alexei Shirov and Andrey Esipenko have played 14 recorded games against each other, the first in Apr 2017 and the most recent in Sep 2025. Shirov leads 6 wins to 3, with 5 draws (64% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Sicilian (2 games). The average game between them lasted 37 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Shirov | Draws | Esipenko |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shirov with White | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Esipenko with White | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Shirov | Draws | Esipenko |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Rapid | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Blitz | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Shirov | Draws | Esipenko |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B46 | Sicilian | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| C55 | Italian Game | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| C78 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| C84 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| C88 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| C92 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| D12 | Slav Defense | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | A Shirov | Andrey Esipenko | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | FIDE Grand Swiss |
| Mar 2025 | A Shirov | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon | Titled Tue Late |
| Feb 2025 | A Shirov | Andrey Esipenko | 0-1 | French: Advance Variation | Titled Tue Early |
| Jul 2024 | Alexei Shirov | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Titled Tue Late |
| Nov 2021 | Andrey Esipenko | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | FIDE Grand Swiss |
| Sep 2021 | Andrey Esipenko | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Italian Game | 36th EU-Cup |
| Mar 2020 | Andrey Esipenko | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Slav Defense | 6th Moscow Nutcracker Rapid |
| Mar 2020 | Alexei Shirov | Andrey Esipenko | 0-1 | Catalan | 6th Moscow Nutcracker Rapid |
| Mar 2020 | Alexei Shirov | Andrey Esipenko | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 6th Moscow Nutcracker |
| May 2018 | Andrey Esipenko | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Slav Defense | chT-RUS 25th |
| Dec 2017 | Andrey Esipenko | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Slav Defense | Moscow Nutcracker Rapid |
| Dec 2017 | Alexei Shirov | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | Sicilian | Moscow Nutcracker Rapid |
| Dec 2017 | Alexei Shirov | Andrey Esipenko | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | Moscow Nutcracker |
| Apr 2017 | Alexei Shirov | Andrey Esipenko | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Indian Defense | 6th Zuerich Chess Challenge Open |
Interactive board, all 14 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Alexei Shirov and Andrey Esipenko?
In 14 recorded games, Alexei Shirov has 6 wins, Andrey Esipenko has 3 wins, and they have drawn 5 times.
How many times have Alexei Shirov and Andrey Esipenko played each other?
Our database records 14 games between them, from Apr 2017 to Sep 2025.
What openings do Alexei Shirov and Andrey Esipenko play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Sicilian (2 games), followed by the French: Advance Variation (1). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.