27 September 2015
Peter Svidler Beats Anish Giri in the First Game
Pavel Eljanov and Sergey Karjakin agreed to a draw.
The first games of the World Cup Semifinals were played on September 27 in Baku.
Peter Svidler, playing Black, defeated Anish Giri. In the Ruy Lopez White tried to create a kingside attack, but paid little attention to Black's counterplay on the queenside. Giri sacrificed two pawns, but Black parried all the threats. In a hopeless position the Dutchman sacrificed a piece, but resigned in two moves.
Sergey Karjakin played a risky game after the opening and could lose a pawn, but Pavel Eljanov missed the strongest reply. Later in the game Karjakin also lacked accuracy, but still managed to hold an inferior ending.
The second games are played on September 28.
