Mukhiddin Madaminov of Uzbekistan claimed the UzChess Cup Masters title after defeating his fellow countryman Shamsiddin Vokhidov in an exciting tiebreaker.
The third edition of UzChess Cup was held in Tashkent from June 7 to 15, 2026 and featured a stellar lineup of top Uzbek players and elite international Grandmasters. The most prestigious Masters tournament, a 10-player round-robin with classical time control, boasted a prize fund of $20,000. Alongside the Masters, the Challengers, Futures, and Open were also contested. The top finishers in each section advanced to the higher tier in the next-year edition.
With the field closely matched in rating, the Masters tournament turned into a very tightly contested affair. Suffice it to say that neither participant completed the event unbeaten. After losing his second-round game, Vokhidov scored three consecutive victories and seized the lead but could not feel safe as three players – Arjun Erigaisi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Madaminov – trailed him by just a half-point.
In Round 6, Madaminov defeated Vidit Gujrathi and caught up with the leader, who drew his game with Abdusattorov. Heading into the final ninth round on 5/8, the co-leaders were a half-point ahead of Ian Nepomniachtchi and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Madaminov and Vokhidov drew their games, and with their closest rivals also splitting the point, the duo finished in a two-way tie at the top.
In the ensuing tiebreaker, Madaminov was dominant, winning both games to capture the title – arguably the biggest triumph of his career.
Nepomniachtchi, Mamedyarov and Erigaisi shared third place, with Nepomniachtchi completing the podium on tiebreaks.
GM Mahammad Muradli of Azerbaijan secured a landslide victory in the Challengers event, clinching the title with a round to spare and finishing two points ahead of the field.
Khumoyun Begmuratov (Uzbekistan) triumphed in the Futures section, while Timur Gareyev came out on top in the Open tournament, edging out another local player, Shavkatjon Abdukholikov, on tiebreaks.
Photos: Uzbekistan Chess Federation
Official website: https://uzchesscup.uz/en/2026