FIDE Team crowned World Champions in Linares
Azerbaijan’s historic silver and China’s resilient bronze cap a thrilling Women’s World Team Championship. The 2025 Women’s World Team Championship concluded in Linares with a showcase of elite competition, rising talent, and historic performances. Team FIDE claimed the world title with an undefeated run, Azerbaijan secured a landmark silver, and China completed the podium with a well-earned bronze. Exceptional individual results across all six boards highlighted the global depth of the women’s game, from Ulviyya Fataliyeva’s commanding board-one gold to Polina Shuvalova’s sensational 9.5/10 and 2827 rating performance on board three. Final standings The closing ceremony brought a festive end to an intense and unforgettable week of competition. Winners’ trophies, gold, silver, and bronze medals, along with a selection of commemorative gifts, were presented by Auxi del Olmo, Mayor of Linares; Javier Ochoa, President of the Spanish Chess Federation; and Victor Bologan, FIDE Executive Director. 🏆 1st place – Gold Medal: FIDE Team With undefeated match play and standout individual performances, the FIDE squad claimed the championship title in commanding style. 🥈 2nd place – Silver Medal: Azerbaijan A remarkable run, full of grit and inspired tiebreak victories, earned Azerbaijan a well-deserved second place. 🥉 3rd place – Bronze Medal: China Led by GM Hou Yifan and supported by a rising generation of talents, China secured the final podium spot after two narrow wins in the bronze-medal duel. Individual board medals Three individual medals – gold, silver, and bronze – were also awarded at the prize-giving ceremony by Martin De La Torre, Concejal de Juventud y Deportes. The prizes were determined by rating performance, with eligibility requiring a minimum of five classical games played during the event. Board/place Player Country Performance Games Points 1st board 🥇 Fataliyeva, Ulviyya AZE 2524 10 6 🥈 Hou, Yifan CHN 2523 6 3½ 🥉 Padmini, Rout IND 2495 7 4 2nd board 🥇 Kamalidenova, Meruert KAZ 2531 9 6 🥈 Javakhishvili, Lela GEO 2492 6 4 🥉 Song, Yuxin CHN 2488 10 6 3rd board 🥇 Shuvalova, Polina FIDE 2827 10 9.5 🥈 Khotenashvili, Bella GEO 2456 6 4 🥉 Lu, Miaoyi CHN 2376 10 5 4th board 🥇 Arabidze, Meri GEO 2463 7 5 🥈 Garifullina, Leya FIDE 2407 8 5½ 🥉 Savitha Shri B IND 2401 7 4 5th board 🥇 Shukhman, Anna FIDE 2675 5 4½ 🥈 Zhai, Mo CHN 2391 8 4½ 🥉 Nurgaliyeva, Zarina KAZ 2276 5 2 6th board 🥇 Kaliakhmet, Elnaz KAZ 2515 9 7 Let’s take a closer look at how the afternoon unfolded. Luis Rentero Lechuga, son of Luis Rentero Suarez, driving force behind the classic Linares tournaments, opened the final round with the gong ceremony. Team FIDE dominated Azerbaijan in the final with an impressive 5.5–2.5 overall score. Throughout the championship, the squad remained undefeated, conceding very few individual games. While every team member delivered consistently strong performances, the backbone of their success came from the lower boards: Polina Shuvalova (gold on board three), Leya Garifullina (silver on board four), and Anna Shukhman (gold on board five), all of whom were in exceptional form. The first match ended 3–1 for FIDE, with two wins and two draws. On board three, IM Polina Shuvalova (2473) continued her remarkable run, securing the board gold medal with an extraordinary 9.5/10, one of the finest individual results of the event. On board one, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina (2540) once again demonstrated her world-class technique, gradually outplaying IM Ulviyya Fataliyeva (2420) in a long and demanding queen endgame. Queen endings are notoriously treacherous: perpetual check motifs lurk everywhere, and even a pawn advantage offers no guarantee of victory. Fataliyeva had already defended with admirable resilience for seventy-four moves, but exhausted after a long tournament and a gruelling game, she missed the drawing resource 74…Qf7! Another good option was 74…Qa8+, maintaining the balance. Instead, Ulviyya chose the wrong check 74…Qa5+?, a move that ultimately loses after 75.Kf6 Qa7+ 76.Qd7! Qa3+ 77.Kf6! The g-pawn, and the game, could not be saved. It was a heart-breaking defeat for Ulviyya Fataliyeva, though her gold medal on board one remains a remarkable achievement and undoubtedly one she will treasure throughout her career. The second match closed the event with a 2.5–1.5 victory for FIDE, featuring three draws, though GM Kateryna Lagno (2517) escaped one difficult moment, and a clean, confident win by IM Leya Garifullina (2458) that sealed the championship title. https://youtu.be/9p5lFNPFe8g In the battle for bronze, China prevailed over Kazakhstan with a narrow but deserved 5–3 overall score, delivered through two hard-fought 2.5–1.5 victories. Led by GM Hou Yifan (2620), who guided a youthful line-up with her trademark calm authority, China secured an excellent third place along with a handful of individual distinctions. The Chinese squad earned two silver medals: one for the former four-time Women’s World Champion on board one, and another for WGM Zhai Mo (2384) on board five. They added two bronze medals as well, thanks to strong performances from IM Song Yuxin (2448) on board two and rising star IM Lu Miaoyi (2440) on board three. Kazakhstan’s campaign, meanwhile, was undoubtedly hampered by the absence of their top player, GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (2513), during the semi-finals. According to the team captain, Assaubayeva had fallen ill. She returned for the first game of today’s match, playing White on board one against IM Song Yuxin, who stepped in for Hou Yifan, but was defeated and understandably chose to rest again for the second encounter. Even so, the Kazakh team did not leave empty-handed. They claimed three individual medals: gold for IM Meruert Kamalidenova (pictured above, center) on board two, gold for WIM Elnaz Kaliakhmet (2274) on board six, and bronze for WIM Zarina Nurgaliyeva (2310) on board five. Despite narrowly missing out on a place in the final, the experience gained, especially for their young talents, will surely prove invaluable in the years ahead. Written by IM
FIDE World Cup: Sindarov and Wei Yi advance to final after dramatic tiebreaks
It was the quickest day at the FIDE World Cup so far, with both semifinal tiebreak matches ending in the first 15+10 rapid portion. The day concluded by 16:45, but the speed did not diminish the drama. In the match between Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Yakubboev, Sindarov’s preparation paid off as he took the first rapid game converting a winning endgame. The second game was more tense, with Yakubboev finding real chances to strike back, but the players eventually drew, sending Sindarov through as the first player to reach the finals as well as the 2026 FIDE Candidates. On the opposite side of the stage, the match between Andrey Esipenko and Wei Yi was a rollercoaster from beginning to end. Wei Yi, considered the favourite, obtained winning chances as Black in the first game but ultimately drew. In the second rapid game, it was Esipenko who held the advantage until a fateful rook blunder reversed the outcome and cost him the match. It was a shocking end to the semifinal tiebreaks. The ceremonial first move was made by Mr. Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), on the board between Sindarov and Yakubboev. Throughout the event, it has been encouraging to see the interest shown by government officials and the AICF’s efforts to invite distinguished guests to each game. At 15:00, the silence of the hall shifted to the quick tapping of clocks. Unlike the classical games, all players seemed settled from the very first moves, confidently blitzing out their opening choices. Here is a closer look at how the games unfolded: Semifinals tiebreak results: Andrey Esipenko ½–1½ Wei YiJavokhir Sindarov 1½–½ Nodirbek Yakubboev Javokhir Sindarov (2721) vs Nodirbek Yakubboev (2689) Javokhir Sindarov is only a few rating points away from becoming the top player in Uzbekistan. As The Guardian recently described, he is “on the verge” of the world elite, and he demonstrated that level today by starting the semifinal tiebreaks with a win over Nodirbek Yakubboev with the Black pieces. The first game began in a typical Semi-Slav structure, following a sideline known for its solidity. Both players appeared well prepared, but they soon diverged from known theory. Up to that point they had played accurately, but White, already behind on time throughout the game, made several imprecise decisions that allowed Black to take over. In a closed position with both sides holding two rooks, White with a bishop, and Black with a knight, Sindarov used the flexibility of his knight to maneuver it into strong squares on the queenside. This eventually forced the bishop-knight exchange, leaving Black with a superior pawn structure. In the resulting position, Black controlled the board with active rooks pressing against White’s isolated e-pawn. With less than a minute remaining, Yakubboev was forced to defend resourcefully. Sindarov did not find an immediate finishing blow, but he eventually secured two connected passed pawns on the queenside. With no realistic defensive chances left, Yakubboev resigned, placing himself in a must-win situation with Black in the second rapid game. Their second 15+10 game began in a Sicilian Najdorf and quickly turned chaotic after White launched an early kingside pawn storm. A key psychological moment came when Sindarov spent nine minutes on 12.f4. Our studio commentators, Grandmasters Peter Leko and Jan Gustafsson, pointed out that this may have caused Yakubboev to relax slightly and choose the wrong plan. White gained an advantage, and Black soon had to give up the exchange, relying on the bishop pair to create counterplay. As is often the case in this time control, chances swung back and forth. Sindarov lost his advantage for a moment, and suddenly Black stood better with real hope of staying in the event. But a major mistake changed the evaluation again. Although White did not convert perfectly and allowed equality more than once, he eventually steered the game into a draw. Here, Black should ignore the potential discovered check on the d-file and play something like 26…Bg2, followed by 27.Bxe3+ Kc6 28.Rh2 Bf3. The position remains equal but requires accuracy from White. Instead, Yakubboev played 26…Kc8?, moving the king away from danger but shutting off his rook and giving White a +3 advantage. Sindarov was not fully precise in converting, exchanging winning chances for equality several times, but a final liquidation to a draw was enough to secure his place in the finals and the 2026 FIDE Candidates. Sindarov was delighted after the match, though he expressed sadness for his teammate, noting that Yakubboev had played well. In our interview, he spoke proudly about his performance today and shared that his family, including his brother, had traveled to Goa to support him, bringing Uzbek food and sweets to lift his spirits. It seems to be working. Andrey Esipenko (2693) vs Wei Yi (2752) Wei Yi looked markedly different after winning the tiebreak against Andrey Esipenko today, especially given the stroke of luck that helped him not just survive the second game but win it. First, let’s revisit the opening rapid game, where the Chinese grandmaster once again started strongly, echoing his match against Arjun Erigaisi, where he recovered from a difficult classical phase with much stronger play in the tiebreaks. With the Black pieces, the game repeated yesterday’s Petroff Defense with the lesser-played 7.Be4, but this time Wei Yi had improved preparation and adopted a slightly different move order, confidently emerging with a better position. In the final stage of the game, a crucial moment appeared: Both players were low on time, and this last move by White was inaccurate. Black had the strong 33…Bd6, forcing the bishops off the board due to the threat of …c5, leading to a centralised king after 34.Bxd6 Kxd6 and real winning chances. Instead, Wei opted for 33…Bf4, and after 34.Re2 Be5, the players repeated moves and drew the game. A steady Italian Game started their second rapid encounter. For a long time, the position seemed dry, with no clear attacking prospects and a stable 0.0 evaluation. Then White
Women’s World Team Championship: Shuvalova shines, Azerbaijan stuns, the final is set
Team FIDE outlast China as Azerbaijan survives a heart-stopping tiebreak against Kazakhstan. The penultimate day of the Women’s World Team Championship delivered exactly the drama one expects from a tournament of this calibre. Team FIDE moved confidently into the final after overcoming China in two tight 2.5–1.5 matches, driven once again by the unstoppable form of Polina Shuvalova. On the other side of the hall, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan battled deep into the tiebreaks, producing a roller-coaster duel that ended with Azerbaijan’s well-earned blitz tiebreaker victory. It was a day marked by courage, precision, and the fine margins that so often define knockout chess. With these results, the final line-up is confirmed: Final: FIDE Team vs Azerbaijan Third-place match: Kazakhstan vs China Let’s look at how the afternoon unfolded in greater detail in each pool. The gong ceremony to open each of the rounds was performed by Akaki Iashvili, FIDE Special Tasks Director and Mahir Mammedov, FIDE Vice President. With two 2.5–1.5 victories, Team FIDE secured their spot in the final, overcoming a very tenacious Chinese squad, one blending youthful fire on the middle boards with deep experience at the top. Once again, IM Polina Shuvalova (2472) proved to be the team’s driving force, scoring two superb victories against the talented IM Lu Miaoyi (2440). With a perfect 6/6 so far, Shuvalova is all but guaranteed the board-one gold medal, and she may well be on the verge of reclaiming her 2500 rating. China certainly had their chances. GM Hou Yifan (2620) showcased her enduring class by defeating GM Aleksandra Goryachkina (2540), reminding everyone that her strength, despite a reduced competitive schedule, remains unquestionable. And in the first match, the narrative could have shifted dramatically. On board two, with Black, IM Song Yuxin (2448) had played an outstanding game against GM Kateryna Lagno (2517) and achieved a winning position. Black enjoyed an extra pawn, superior piece coordination, and the engines evaluated the position at roughly +4. At this critical moment, victory was within reach had Song chosen 40…f4!, advancing her kingside majority and cutting communication between the rook on h6 and the bishop on c1. She may have feared the reply 41.Rb6, but after 41…Rc7, Black keeps the b7 pawn defended and can continue calmly with ideas such as …Ne1–d3 or …Ng5–h3, maintaining full control. Instead, Song opted for 40…Rc6?, allowing Lagno counterplay. After 41.Rxc6 bxc6 42.c4 f4 43.b5!, White created a passed pawn just in time, forcing a draw a few moves later. A near miss for China, and a crucial half-point saved for team FIDE, in a match where every moment mattered. In the other semi-final match, team Azerbaijan edged out team Kazakhstan in one of the most thrilling tiebreaks I have witnessed live in a very long time. The final 3–1 score in the four-game blitz match was achieved with plenty of sweat and emotion, but it was fully deserved. Much like in football, when a team fails to convert its chances during regular play, a last-minute strike can dramatically reverse the outcome. Kazakhstan had one foot in the final, but after missing their key opportunities, momentum slipped away, and even the introduction of GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (2513) for the blitz (despite her feeling unwell throughout the day) wasn’t enough to overcome the energy and determination of the Azerbaijani squad. https://youtu.be/iybv–ejxfY?si=TAe-vhMve37UN8m7 In the classical portion, both teams had real chances to score a win in the first match, but in the end, all four games were drawn. Kazakhstan’s WIM Elnaz Kaliakhmet (2274) played a superb positional game against IM Gulnar Mammadova (2338), handling the queenless middlegame and ensuing endgame with great finesse. Her control of the position, especially with the rook anchored on the seventh rank, looked promising, and from my seat directly behind her, I found myself instinctively searching for the ideal route to bring the bishop to d5 to convert the advantage. Then came 43.Nf6+, a move that would have been a brilliant finishing touch, if not for the simple refutation 43…Nxf6 44.gxf6 Rf1+!, after which Black regains the f6 pawn and equalizes. A more accurate and patient choice was 43.Ne3!, preparing 44.Bd5+ and the devastating 45.Rf7!. In that line, White’s threats multiply rapidly, and converting the advantage would have been only a matter of time. A heart-breaking miss for Kaliakhmet, and one of several moments where Kazakhstan’s path to the final slipped away at the last possible moment. The second classical set left Kazakhstan’s third board (and team captain) heartbroken. With 1.5-1.5 on the scoreboard, spectators were already sensing that Kazakhstan would prevail without a tiebreak. In this position, 55.f4! is a clear win, picking up the pawn on g5 and basically forcing resignation. WIM Zarina Nurgaliyeva (2310) chose 55.Rb8, which also is winning, but let’s continue. A few moves later, already with the pawn on b7, things are not so simple. The only way to win now is to play 60.Kh2! and now if 60…Kg7 then White can play 61.Rd8! Rxb7 62.Rd4 picking up the g-pawn with an easy technical win with the two connected passed pawns. Alternatively, if 60… Rb2 we use triangulation to transfer the turn to the opponent with 61.Kg1 Rb1+ 62.Kg2 and the position is zugzwang. Now, if Black moves the king to g7, then we pick up the g-pawn as before, and if Black waits with 62…Rb2 then 63.Kf1! and we head out into the open with the king with a winning ending. Not so easy! Unfortunately, Nurgaliyeva chose precisely this moment to play 60.f4?, which is now a big mistake as after 60…gxf3 61.Kxf3 Kg7! this is a theoretical drawn position as there is no way to make clear progress. The final and third-place playoff will start on November 23 at 11:30 AM local time, two hours before the usual starting time. According to the regulations, each duel consists of two matches with the same time control as the qualifying stage: 45 minutes per player for the entire game, plus a 30-second increment per move starting from
FIDE World Cup 2025 semifinals: Game 2 ends in deadlock as tiebreaks await
The second classical games of the semifinals followed a familiar script in Goa. Once again, deep preparation shaped both encounters, long early thinks filled the hall, and the positions that emerged were rich but balanced. And once again, neither game produced a winner. With two more draws on the board, all semifinal spots will now be decided in tomorrow’s tiebreaks. The ceremonial first moves were made by Mr. Sanjay Dhivre, IRS (Indian Revenue Service), Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, and Mrs. Bhagyahree Dhivare, IAS (Indian Administrative Service), CEO of the Election Commission Nagaland on board two. The first result arrived from the all-Uzbek clash between Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Yakubboev. Their game featured subtle opening nuances before resolving into a level endgame on move 31. For two players who know each other exceptionally well and entered a line offering limited winning chances, the early handshake felt natural. The second game, between Andrey Esipenko and Wei Yi, carried more tension. The Chinese grandmaster had been outprepared and slightly outplayed in their first game. When I ran into him at dinner last night, I asked him about it, and he admitted he was “lucky” to escape with a draw. So it was concerning to see a similar storyline developing today when Esipenko, now with the white pieces, produced specific preparation and reached a slightly better position. He even had a moment where he could have pressed for more, but the chance passed. Wei stayed solid under pressure and steered the game to safety. With nearly a full month of play behind them, hours of preparation each day, and the physical and mental strain of the World Cup at its peak, fatigue is becoming a real presence for the final four. Today might have reflected exactly that. Here is how the games unfolded. Semifinals Game 2 results: Andrey Esipenko ½-½ Wei Yi Javokhir Sindarov ½-½ Nodirbek Yakubboev Andrey Esipenko (2693) vs Wei Yi (2752) Today’s game began with the Nimzowitsch Attack in the Petrov. Esipenko showed clear preparation in older theoretical paths, choosing 7.Bf4 (a line popular in the early 2000s) instead of the more modern 7.Be3. Wei Yi appeared surprised and paused for several minutes before replying. Despite having played this structure before, including a 2016 game against Wesley So, he clearly expected something different. This once again highlighted the strong preparation from Esipenko and his second, David Paravyan, who have been working effectively here in Goa (reportedly in between lobster dinners). Another notable moment arrived a few moves later when Esipenko played the rarer 10.Be2, spending around twelve minutes before committing. It raised the question of whether he had left his preparation or was digging deep to recall his lines, but in either case, it was another surprise. Later in the game, a critical moment arose, one that required calculation and understanding rather than automatic moves. In a position where White could press slightly, Esipenko chose a safer continuation instead of the line that offered the most practical chances. Here, the direct 20.f4 would have stopped Black from playing …g5 and left the h-pawn as a long-term target. It was not a winning attempt, but it was the kind of position where White makes Black solve problems under pressure. In a knockout setting, it would have been an attractive practical try. Instead, Esipenko chose 20.f3, allowing 20…g5. Both players developed naturally on the only open e-file. Wei tripled his heavy pieces lining up an “Alekhine’s gun” formation, but all rooks were eventually exchanged on the same file, easing Black’s defensive task. With the position equalised, the players began to repeat moves. Wei was low on time, and Esipenko played on briefly to push him to move forty, but no progress was possible. A second repetition confirmed the draw. Javokhir Sindarov (2721) vs Nodirbek Yakubboev (2689) The young Uzbek teammates agreed to a draw on move 31 in an objectively level endgame, but the opening phase contained several important subtleties. The game began with the Four Knights Spanish, the same opening Sindarov faced as Black in his second game against José Martínez in the quarterfinals, where the players followed a forcing drawing line. Today’s game started similarly but deviated early: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5. Here, Yakubboev visibly hesitated, reaching for his knight before pausing and finally committing to the Rubinstein Variation with 4…Nd4. Perhaps he recalled Sindarov’s previous game and preferred to avoid that exact path, but he went ahead with the move nonetheless. This time, White deviated with 5.Nxd4 instead of 5.Bc4. The resulting structure is known for being solid for White but lacking major winning prospects, making it an interesting choice from Sindarov, who is usually more ambitious with the White pieces. A key moment soon appeared, demanding long calculation from both players. Here, Black’s main theoretical choice is 9…0-0, willingly giving up the pawn because after 10.Bxd7 Bxd7 11.Qxd7 Rae8, Black has threats such as …Qxf2 and ample compensation through piece activity and pressure. However, with elimination on the line, the semifinalists have generally been choosing safer continuations. This may explain Yakubboev’s decision to play 9…c6 instead, keeping the pawn. But this was not ideal, as it allowed White to build some initiative with 10.Qe2+ Qe7 11.Qh5!. The point is that capturing the bishop with 11…cxb5, is met by 12.Bg5 with a heavy pressure along the e-file – a type of dynamic position that suits Sindarov well. After thinking for nearly 30 minutes, Sindarov instead played the immediate 10.Qh5. This nuanced move-order shift gave Black slightly more room to reorganize. Yakubboev gradually solved his development issues, exchanged pieces, and steered the game into a balanced endgame that led to the eventual draw. One might label this 99%-accuracy duel as a “stale draw,” but a closer look reveals several important moments. Still, taking this match to tiebreaks by teammates and close friends is understandable, if not expected. But tomorrow, only one of them will progress, and with faster time controls, the depth of preparation and sensitivity
Women’s World Team Championship quarter-finals: Team FIDE and China set to clash in anticipated semi-final
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan join them after dramatic victories on one of the most thrilling knockout days yet As the knockout stage began in Linares, the Women’s World Team Championship entered its most thrilling phase. The quarterfinals brought with them a blend of precise preparation, fighting spirit, and bold creativity, producing a memorable day in which favourites were tested, rising stars shone, and several duels remained undecided until the very last move. China survived a nail-biter against the USA, Team FIDE swept past Uzbekistan with authority, Azerbaijan stunned the higher-rated Georgians, and Kazakhstan edged India in a heart-stopping blitz finish. By sunset, four teams had emerged from the chaos, each carrying a story worthy of the semi-final stage. Let’s look at how the afternoon unfolded in greater detail in each pool. The gong ceremony to open each of the rounds was performed María Auxiliadora del Olmo Ruíz (Mayor of Linares) and Raúl Caro-Accino (Deputy Mayor of Linares). Duel 1: Team FIDE vs. Team Uzbekistan The most lopsided quarterfinal duel ended decisively in favour of team FIDE, who not only fielded considerably stronger players on every board but also made effective use of their deep bench by bringing in one of their elite reserves. With this victory, they advanced to face China tomorrow in what could easily be described as an anticipated final. A double 3.5–0.5 sweep left no doubt about their superiority: FIDE has issued a clear statement that they are the team to beat for anyone hoping to claim the title in Linares. All five players performed superbly this afternoon, but if one had to be singled out, the standout was unquestionably GM Kateryna Lagno (2517), who defeated rising Uzbek talent WIM Umida Omonova (2289) in impressive technical fashion. Omonova, one of Uzbekistan’s brightest young prospects, is already decorated with multiple medals from Asian Youth and World Youth Championships. In Linares, she further cemented her ascent by crossing the rating threshold to earn her WGM title, a major milestone despite today’s tough pairing. Duel 2: Team USA vs. Team China Team China advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face team FIDE, after defeating team USA in a hard-fought and dramatic duel. On paper, China held a slight rating edge thanks to GM Hou Yifan’s towering presence on board one, but team USA brought significantly more experience, especially given the youthful composition of the Chinese squad. The first classical match ended 3–1 in favour of the USA, putting them in a strong position heading into the second set. Although China was leading the second match overall, a major twist occurred: IM Carissa Yip (2459) scored a stunning win with Black over GM Hou Yifan (2620), while simultaneously IM Anna M. Sargsyan (2377) had IM Song Yuxin (2448) under severe pressure. A 2–2 draw in the second classical set would have sent the USA to the semi-finals, but it wasn’t to be. Song engineered a resourceful and tricky comeback, saving the game and forcing a tiebreak. In the deciding 3+2 blitz match, China dominated completely, delivering a crushing 3.5–0.5 victory to clinch their spot in the final four. A key moment in the classical portion came from board three, where Bent Larsen’s famous maxim “Long variation, wrong variation” proved prophetic, as overcalculation in a complicated line turned the tide at a critical moment. Playing with Black, IM Lu Miaoyi (2440) was gradually outplaying her opponent, IM Tatev Abrahamyan (2391), on board three. In the diagrammed position, both the solid 22…Rd8 and the more ambitious 22…e5 would have been excellent choices. Instead, the Chinese prodigy erred with 22…Nxd4? The idea behind the move is clear: if 23.Nxd4, then 23…Rxf2 gives Black strong counterplay. However, Abrahamyan found the much stronger resource 23.Ne5!, a powerful fork hitting both the queen and the rook. After 23…dxe4 24.Rxe4 Qh5, Lu Miaoyi was relying on the pressure against the rook on d1 to keep the position balanced. But Tatev, well known for her sharp, fighting style, pressed forward with the brilliant 25.Nxf7! After 25…Qxd1, White had just one winning move, but it was spectacular: 26.Nxh6+! gxh6 27.Rg4+ Kf7 28.Qh7+ Kf6 29.Qg7#, an elegant checkmate that concluded one of the most memorable tactical sequences of the round. Even though the match finished quite late, I was able to gather the full team and their coaches for a quick post-match interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEq8RbTMYl4 Duel 3: Team Azerbaijan vs Team Georgia Although Georgia appeared to be the clear favourite on paper, Azerbaijan produced the upset of the afternoon by defeating one of the top contenders for the title. With this remarkable victory, the Azerbaijani team earned their spot in the semi-finals, where they will face Kazakhstan for a place in the championship match. The first match was a thrilling affair, ending in a lively 2–2 scoreline, with all four boards producing decisive results. The fighting spirit on both sides set the tone for what would become one of the most dramatic duels of the day, as neither team showed any interest in quiet, risk-free play. The game appeared roughly balanced, with no immediate signs that anything could go seriously wrong for Black. However, IM Khanim Balajayeva (2350) demonstrated excellent tactical alertness and produced one of the biggest surprises of the round: an upset that allowed Azerbaijan to tie the first match of the duel against Georgia. Balajayeva struck with 27.cxd5, and the experienced GM Bella Khotenashvili (2424) faltered by replying with 27…Rxd5? (the simple 27…exd5 would have held the balance). This oversight allowed White to unveil the powerful resource 28.Rc1!, simultaneously attacking the queen and—more importantly—exploiting the loose knight behind it. After 28…Qd6 29.Ne4!, Black’s position collapsed: the knight on c6 under attack, and if it moves, a decisive fork on f6 ends the game immediately. A crisp tactical finish by Balajayeva at a critical moment of the match. In the second set, a single win by WGM Govhar Beydullayeva (2358) ultimately sealed the deal for Azerbaijan, who secured a 2.5–0.5 victory and advanced to the semi-finals. Even though IM
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship: Dress code requirements
FIDE is pleased to publish the dress code for the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 in Doha, Qatar: Dress code requirements The dress code is strictly observed for the tournament and all the official events and press-conferences. Clothing allowed for men: Suit Dark business casual trousers, including classic, non-distressed jeans (blue, black, and grey) Unicoloured shirt (with minor deviations allowed, e.g. checkered or striped) Dress shoes and loafers with closed toes Unicoloured sneakers (soles can be a different colour) Clothing allowed for women: Skirt suit, pantsuit, dress suit Dress Dark business casual trousers, including classic, non-distressed jeans (dark blue, black and grey) Shirt/blouse Dress shoes and loafers Unicoloured sneakers (soles can be a different colour) The clothes and shoes shall be neat and free of offensive slogans, tears, or rips. No players with t-shirts, shorts, baseball caps or inappropriate dress are allowed in the playing venue. Any requests to wear national or traditional dress shall be approved by GSC. Sanctions for dress code violations Minor Infringements Minor infringements are those committed without specific intent. Examples include a sloppy or unkempt appearance, wrinkled clothing, or other minor deviations from the standard. First Infringement will result in a financial penalty of 5% of the player’s total prize money earned in the two events, but not less than €300 for open events and €150 for women’s events. The player is allowed to complete the current day and is not obliged to change immediately. Further InfringementsSubsequent infringements will result in exclusion from the pairings for the next round. Major Infringements Major infringements are those demonstrating disregard for or denial of the dress code rules as a whole, or showing disrespect toward FIDE, the opponent, or their countries and national symbols. Examples include, but are not limited to, wearing shorts, beachwear, sleeveless shirts (for men), or clothing/footwear with offensive content or logos of prohibited sponsors (e.g., betting companies, alcohol, tobacco). Each infringement will result in a financial penalty of 10% of the player’s total prize money earned in the two events, but not less than €1,000 for open events and €500 for women’s events.The player will also be excluded from the pairings for the next round. Official website: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/
FIDE World Cup semifinals open with hard-fought draws
After a quiet rest day yesterday, the players returned to the hall where they have been competing for the last twenty days. A new stage setup elevated the boards, symbolic and fitting for the spectacle that the final rounds of the FIDE World Cup promise to bring. Today marked game one of the semifinals, and although both matches, Wei Yi vs Andrey Esipenko and Nodirbek Yakubboev vs Javokhir Sindarov, ended in draws, they were anything but uneventful. Deep preparation, opening surprises, time pressure and several only-move moments defined the day. Grandmaster Wei Yi, as has become routine, was the first to arrive, followed shortly by his opponent Grandmaster Andrey Esipenko. With a few minutes to spare before the round began, both sat quietly at the board, focused and still. Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev arrived next, carrying his usual five bottles of water. Just before the clocks were started, the ceremonial first move took place, and moments later a slightly flustered and narrowly on-time Javokhir Sindarov entered the hall and took his seat opposite his Uzbek teammate. Today’s first move on the board between Wei Yi and Esipenko was made by Mr. Anup Shah, Managing Director of Resort Rio Goa, and Mrs. Alpa Shah, Director of Resort Rio Goa, two people who have led the wonderful hospitality provided to us throughout the last month. This month of remarkable chess has brought us to these intense final stages. As Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, the first qualifier to the 2026 FIDE Candidates, stated online, the World Cup is an incredibly difficult tournament and regardless of how well one performs, only three participants leave truly happy: the three Candidates qualifiers. Watching the field shrink after every round has been bittersweet. With players departing every few days, the dining hall has grown quieter. And knowing that one of these four semifinalists, after fighting so hard to reach this point, will soon join the list of 202 eliminated players feels equally, if not more, bittersweet. Still, this is the nature of the event. Success here demands skill, stamina and a measure of luck. Semifinals Game 1 results: Wei Yi ½ – ½ Andrey Esipenko Nodirbek Yakubboev ½ – ½ Javokhir Sindarov Wei Yi (2752) vs Andrey Esipenko (2693) The first surprise of the day came immediately when Esipenko met Wei Yi’s 1.e4 with 1…e6. It was the same French Defense that the Chinese number one had successfully employed in his first quarterfinal game against Arjun Erigaisi. With a rest day available for preparation, unexpected choices made strategic sense, and Esipenko’s decision became even more logical when it became clear that he was not heading into a main line, but the Rubinstein Variation: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 followed by 4.Nxe4 Nd7. It was reasonable to assume that Wei Yi may not have deep practical experience here. Although initially caught off guard after anticipating what he considered a guaranteed Italian, our commentators Grandmasters Peter Leko and Jan Gustafsson quickly agreed that this was a clever and well-timed choice by Black. Wei Yi appeared taken aback by the opening and took his time before committing to a structure and a plan. Esipenko essentially won the opening phase, reaching a slightly better position with two bishops and holding a significant time advantage. Wei Yi, on the other hand, found himself struggling to find chances for activity while also feeling the growing pressure of the clock. Then, suddenly, everything turned. A critical nuance required Black to play 27…Qf5 to remove White’s queen from the center before taking the pawn on h5. That line would have left White with an inferior but holdable position – requiring accuracy. Instead, Esipenko played the immediate 27…Qxh5, and after several minutes of calculation, Wei Yi unleashed the stunning 28.Bxa6! The bishop cannot be taken because the Black king would be exposed to decisive threats. The game continued 28…e5 29.Rd8 Rxd8 30.Rxd8 Ka7. Black attacked the bishop and threatened with 31…Bf5 but another incredible only-move followed instantly: 31.Qa4! which drew applause in the studio from Peter Leko. The game then concluded with 31…bxa6 32.Rd7+ Bxd7 33.Qxd7+ Kb6, after which the players agreed to a draw due to an unavoidable three-fold repetition. Being caught in deep preparation and finding yourself worse as White in a World Cup semifinal is never easy, but Wei Yi once again showed why he is one of the strongest performers of the event. He held his nerve, calculated with precision under extreme pressure, and found the correct moment to strike. Esipenko has previously said that luck is a necessary ingredient for success in the World Cup, and today it was his opponent who had that combination of accuracy and good fortune. Nodirbek Yakubboev (2689) vs Javokhir Sindarov (2721) Despite arriving slightly late, Sindarov seemed relaxed and confident. This was evident not only from his quick early moves and usual pacing around the hall, but also from the enthusiastic high-five he exchanged with his board neighbour Andrey Esipenko as they crossed paths in the opening minutes. Yakubboev, who arrived with the benefit of two consecutive rest days after avoiding quarterfinal tiebreaks, came armed with strong preparation against Sindarov’s Semi-Slav, the same opening they had played in their last two classical encounters. White opted for a sideline with 5.Qd3, but Black appeared completely prepared and unfazed, blitzing out correct theory as if he had predicted it. Soon, in fact, it was Yakkuboev who seemed surprised, spending 23 minutes on his 11th move despite Black having played only natural, expected moves. Despite this sharp start, nothing complicated emerged. Once both players were out of theory, the position settled, and they navigated it with great accuracy. After trading down to an even endgame, where only White could really push for something, Black offered a draw on move 30, which Yakubboev accepted. It was a calm and unsurprising beginning for two players who know each other deeply and have faced each other many times. Notably, both played with great accuracy, with respective scores of 99% and 100%. Tomorrow
A Move for Freedom and Redemption in El Salvador
A powerful and emotional moment unfolded at the Estadio Nacional Jorge “El Mágico” González, where inmates participating in El Salvador’s Plan Cero Ocio were brought out of the prison system to receive public recognition for their achievements in the 5th FIDE Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners. The ceremony brought together leaders from FIDE, FIDE America, INDES, and the national prison authorities — a testament to the strength of this collaborative rehabilitation effort. Among the distinguished guests were: José Carrillo Pujol, President of FIDE Americas Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of FIDE Management Board Dinora Acevedo, INDES (National Institute of Sports of El Salvador) Samuel Diaz, Director of the Santa Ana Penitentiary Industrial Complex Erick Hernandez, Treasurer of FIDE Americas Saul Montoya, Vice President of Salvadoran Chess Federation Their presence underscored both national and international commitment to the transformative power of chess. Plan Cero Ocio: Building skills and discipline As part of Plan Cero Ocio, participants receive chess training five times a week, providing structure, focus, emotional control, and the opportunity to develop skills that support reintegration. Their dedication led to extraordinary success at the 5th Intercontinental Chess Championship for Prisoners: Gold — Women’s Team Silver — Men’s Team These achievements are supported by the tireless work of INDES’ Inclusive Sports Department which coordinates technical support with the Salvadoran Chess Federation. Special mention goes to International Master Roberto Calderin, who coached the teams for four months, guiding and advising the players daily. Regional coordination and long-term development are further strengthened by the support of FIDE Americas. Voices from the inside The most powerful words came from the participants themselves: “Chess gives me structure. Training every day helps me stay focused and calm. It’s the first time in years I feel like I’m improving at something.” “When I play, I feel free. It reminds me that my mind still belongs to me — and that I can make better decisions, one move at a time.” These reflections capture the essence of what Chess for Freedom aims to achieve: discipline, dignity, hope, and the ability to think forward — on the board and in life. FIDE’s commitment in the 2025 Year of Social Chess As part of the 2025 Year of Social Chess, FIDE is proud to stand with El Salvador in advancing programs that use chess as a bridge to education, rehabilitation, and social inclusion. This ceremony was not just about medals — it was about human transformation. Chess changes lives. And on this occasion, these players proved it on a national and global stage.
FIDE World Women’s Team Championship: Quarterfinals set with rising stars and tactical fireworks at Linares
Georgia fields reserves while France scores a last-round triumph. With the qualifying rounds concluded, the quarterfinal line-up is finalized, showcasing a mix of powerhouse teams and emerging contenders. Azerbaijan, China, and other top seeds demonstrated both depth and precision, while prodigious talents like Lu Miaoyi and Ulviyya Fataliyeva reminded the chess world of their rising potential. The upcoming duels will test strategy, resilience, and nerves under pressure. Eight teams move forward, each carrying hopes, ambitions, and the scars of previous battles. Every quarterfinal match promises intense battles, where experience meets ambition, and every move could decide the fate of a championship run. Let’s look at how the afternoon unfolded in greater detail in each pool. The afternoon of chess began with Javier Ochoa de Echagüen, President of the Spanish Chess Federation and of the Ibero-American Chess Federation and FIDE Adviser, opening the round with the ceremonial gong. Pool A Azerbaijan prevailed in their crucial clash against the host nation, Spain. The final result — a convincing 3.5–0.5 — leaves no room for doubt and secured the Azeri team a spot in the quarterfinals, while simultaneously eliminating the Spaniards from the competition. One of the key victories came on board one, where IM Ulviyya Fataliyeva (2420) outplayed IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (2429). European U-14 and U-18 champion, Fataliyeva also won the 2024 European Women’s Individual Chess Championship. In this middlegame position, Fataliyeva enjoys more space, and her pieces are harmoniously placed for an attack. Until this moment, Khademalsharieh had defended accurately, striving to keep the position as closed as possible. However, her last move – 21…Qd7? instead of the stronger 21…0–0–0 – allowed the Azeri player to break through with a classical piece sacrifice, beginning with 22.f5! gxf5 23.Bxf5! exf5 24.e6! fxe6 25.Nxe6 The knight on e6 prevents Black from castling and threatens multiple discovered checks. Spain’s top board tried to block with 25…Be7, but after 26.Qe5! the rook on h8 came under direct fire. Khademalsharieh replied with 26…Rg8, yet 27.Qxf5 (threatening 28.Qxh5#) only intensified the pressure. Following 27…Qc6, the precise 28.Qf7+ forced immediate resignation, as 28…Kd7 29.Nc5+ Kd6 30.Bf4 leads to checkmate. A fantastic attacking masterpiece by IM Ulviyya Fataliyeva! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtM3R5DTm8g In the other afternoon encounters, team FIDE completed the qualifying stage with a perfect 100% score, delivering a dominant 3.5–0.5 victory over Peru. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan produced the upset of the round, defeating team USA by the same margin and securing second place in the group. POOL A FINAL STANDINGS Pool B The match between Uzbekistan and India was fiercely contested. Although a draw would have been enough to qualify both teams, a decisive win on the fourth board by WGM Srija Seshadri secured a 2.5–1.5 victory for India and third place in the group standings. Meanwhile, China cruised past Ukraine with a convincing 3–1 score. The match highlighted IM Lu Miaoyi (2440) as a future contender for the highest honors in women’s chess. Born in 2010, Lu Miaoyi is a rising Chinese chess prodigy and one of the strongest young female players in the world. She is known for her aggressive style, rapid rating ascent, and record-setting achievements at a remarkably young age. Under severe time pressure, IM Nataliya Buksa (2400) finally cracked and played 18.Qe1? (the correct move was 18.Qe2, which would have maintained equality), allowing a neat tactical opportunity. Lu Miaoyi thought for seven minutes to calculate the lines and played 18…Nxe3! After 19.Rxe3, she followed up with 19…Qd5!, threatening mate on g2. At this point, 20.Nf3 would have fallen to 20…Qxd3, while 20.Bf1 loses to 20…Bxe3+ 21.Qxe3 Rc2!, winning immediately. Buksa chose 20.Qf1, giving up the exchange after 20…Bxe3. Although the game continued until move thirty-seven, the result was never in doubt, with Lu Miaoyi firmly in control. Already qualified in first place, Georgia decided to field their two reserve players, Kirtadze and Mgeladze, providing a well-deserved rest for the starting lineup. Despite putting up a strong fight, they went down 3–1 against France, who will leave Linares with mixed feelings – elimination from contention but a final-round victory against the group leaders. POOL B FINAL STANDINGS With these results, the quarterfinals are set. According to the regulations, each duel consists of two matches with the same time control as the qualifying stage: 45 minutes per player for the entire game, plus a 30-second increment per move starting from move 1. In the event of a drawn duel – either if each team wins one match, or both matches are drawn – board points will not be used as a tiebreaker. Instead, blitz matches will determine the winner. The first quarterfinal matches will start on November 21 at 1:30 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Antoaneta Stefanova and Ivan Cheparinov. Official website: worldwomenteams2025.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal Photos: Raúl Martínez / Pavel Dvorkovich
FIDE announces the list of players for the 2025 World Rapid and Blitz: A stellar lineup in Doha
World Champion Gukesh D and Magnus Carlsen join over 360 players who have confirmed their participation in the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship in Doha. The event, which will take place from December 25 to 30, brings together a field featuring multiple world champions, most of the sport’s highest-rated competitors, and rising stars. A total of 233 players registered for the Blitz Open and 230 for the Rapid. After missing out on the crown in the Rapid and sharing gold in the Blitz in the previous edition in New York, Magnus Carlsen – who this year became a father – returns to the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz. He will try to unseat the 2024 World Rapid champion, Volodar Murzin, who has had strong tournament performances throughout the year. Photo: Lennart Ootes World Champion Gukesh D has also confirmed his attendance. His participation is expected to draw a lot of interest from the public. In particular, his superb result in Zagreb earlier this year indicates he will be one of the favorites in Rapid. Many seasoned elite players such as 2024 World Blitz co-champion Ian Nepomniachtchi, Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Wesley So, and Levon Aronian have also confirmed their participation. Challenging them will be a new generation of contenders seeking to disrupt established hierarchies: Vincent Keymer, Arjun Erigaisi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Praggnanandhaa R, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, and Ediz Gürel to name just a few. Photo: Michal Walusza And of course, the public will be delighted to see legendary players like Alexander Grischuk, and Vasyl Ivanchuk, who actually won the World Rapid in Doha, back in 2016. FIDE Women’s Rapid and Blitz will also see the best in the world taking part. Headlined by Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun, the competition will see 130 players, including heavyweights Zhu Jiner, Lei Tingjie, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Humpy Koneru and more. Anna Muzychuk – who won both the Women’s Rapid and Blitz in Doha in 2016 – will also be there, together with her sister, Mariya. Photo: Anna Shtourman “The lineup shows the immense strength and magnetism of the World Rapid & Blitz,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said. “We are pleased to see so many strong players in both the Open and the Women’s competition confirming they will take part. The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz is traditionally one of the most exciting and most watched chess events in the year, and we expect that tradition to continue. I’d like to thank the local organizing committee for sparing no effort in making it a great event,” Dvorkovich added. “The field is tremendously strong, and it is going to be a real chess feast. Once again, FIDE managed to gather nearly all the world’s best players, and I am looking forward to a great sportive drama, fascinated both in my FIDE capacity, and as a life-time chess fan,” says FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky. “Doha is now the only city to host the World Rapid & Blitz Championship twice, a milestone for chess and for sports in Qatar. It reflects our deep passion for the game and our commitment to delivering excellence. We are proud to welcome the world’s greatest players back to Doha, where ambition, tradition, and the future of our sport meet,” said Mohd Al-Mudahka, President of Qatar Chess Federation. Taking place in Doha (Qatar) from December 25 to 30, the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship has a prize fund of over €1,000,000 spread across both the Open and the Women’s competitions. Doha last hosted the championship in 2016, when Vasyl Ivanchuk claimed the title in the Rapid section and Sergey Karjakin became the Blitz World Champion. About the event The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 is taking place in Doha, Qatar from December 25 to 30, bringing together the world’s elite chess talent for a thrilling end-of-year showdown. Held at the Sports and Events Complex, Qatar University, this edition features both Open and Women’s events in Rapid and Blitz formats, with a total prize fund of over €1,000,000. Doha returns as host after nine years, underscoring Qatar’s growing stature in the chess world. The full list of registered players can be found here: Rapid Open: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/participants-rapid-open/ Rapid Women: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/participants-rapid-women/ Blitz Open: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/participants-blitz-open/ Blitz Women: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/participants-blitz-women/ For more information about the event, including media registration, please visit: https://worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/