FIDE World Cup: A quick draw sets up tiebreaks for title as Esipenko wins third place
What a day at the FIDE World Cup finals. The players entered with very different levels of pressure. On one side, Javokhir Sindarov and Wei Yi faced far less tension, with the high likelihood of a draw sending their match to tiebreaks, a recurring pattern throughout this event. That is exactly what happened, as the game concluded within thirty minutes. On the other board, Nodirbek Yakubboev was in a must-win situation to level the match and keep his chances alive in the tiebreaks. Perhaps, nerves weighed heavily on the young Uzbek player, as he faltered early and allowed Andrey Esipenko to take control and secure victory. The first move was made by another local sporting icon, Ms. Saina Nehwal, Olympic bronze medalist in badminton, setting an inspiring tone for the day. Let’s take a look at the game for third place, and then a closer look at the contenders for first: Round 8 Game 2 results: Nodirbek Yakubboev 0–1 Andrey Esipenko Wei Yi ½–½ Javokhir Sindarov Nodirbek Yakubboev (2689) vs Andrey Esipenko (2693) The game began with an offbeat Neo-Catalan in which Yakubboev, playing White, opted for a line that concedes a slight advantage to Black but introduces early complexity and aims to take Esipenko out of his comfort zone. The idea seemed promising until one inaccurate decision completely shifted the momentum, and Yakubboev was unable to recover. Here, White played 11.Bxd5? labelled an “inexcusable move” by GM Peter Leko in the FIDE studio because it gives up the crucial light-squared bishop and hands Black full control over the light squares. After 11…Nxd5 12.Qxd5 b5!, with …Bb7 coming next, Black’s initiative is already very strong. White also cannot capture the seemingly free rook: 13.Qxa8 Bb7 14.Qa7 Nc6! 15.Nxc6 Qxc6 Here Black threatens immediate checkmate along with …Bb8 to trap the queen. In the game, Yakubboev instead played 13.Nf3 and continued from a difficult position. Esipenko’s handling from this point was especially notable: rather than following the computer’s top choices, he played natural, harmonious moves, very much in line with the style often compared to Capablanca, placing his pieces on perfect squares and increasing the pressure at the right moments. It was a clean, instructive conversion as he traded-off key pieces, maintained full control, denied counterplay, and finished the game with a beautiful mating net. Black is already completely winning here. Esipenko continued with 24…Nc1, inviting the mistaken 25.Rxc1 (which occurred in the game), and then followed with 25…Rxd2+ 26.Kg3 Qe2. White could delay but not prevent the impending checkmate. This victory sealed the match for Esipenko, who left the hall visibly relieved and exhausted. With two classical wins, he bypassed tiebreaks entirely and secured both third place and a coveted spot in the 2026 Candidates. Wei Yi (2752) vs Javokhir Sindarov (2721) There was little to elaborate on in the game for first place, as the players entered another Rubinstein Variation of the Four Knights Spanish, a line well known for its drawish nature. Both players blitzed out their moves with ease, clearly choosing to conserve energy and head into the tiebreaks tomorrow. Since the game offered little material, here is a closer look at the finalists: Wei Yi Wei Yi has long been regarded as one of the most naturally gifted attacking players of his generation. He became a grandmaster at 13, one of the youngest in history, and has built a career defined by calculation, creativity, and consistency at elite level. His resume includes a World Youth Championship title, three Chinese Championship titles, and two Olympiad gold medals in Tromsø 2014 and Batumi 2018. His famous win over Lázaro Bruzón in Danzhou 2015 remains one of the most celebrated modern attacking masterpieces. In recent years, he has delivered strong results in top classical and rapid events, including the victory in the 2024 Tata Steel Masters, maintained a 2700+ rating, and proven to be a dependable top-board player for China. Reaching the final here in Goa reflects his stability and resourcefulness throughout this event. Wei Yi’s 2025 FIDE World Cup ResultsRound 2: beat GM Kacper Piorun 2–0 (classical)Round 3: beat GM Benjamin Gledura in rapid tiebreaksRound 4: beat GM Parham Maghsoodloo in the final blitz gamesRound 5: beat GM Samuel Sevian 1.5–0.5 (classical)Quarterfinals: beat GM Arjun Erigaisi in the fourth rapid gameSemifinals: beat GM Andrey Esipenko with a key rapid win Javokhir Sindarov Javokhir Sindarov is one of the brightest stars of Uzbekistan’s new generation. Born in 2005, he became a grandmaster at age twelve and has since grown into a central figure in Central Asian chess. He is a two-time Uzbek Champion and a key member of the national team that won the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai. His 2025 season has been exceptional. He won the TePe Sigeman & Co Tournament, tied for first at the UzChess Cup Masters only to be edged out in tiebreaks, and achieved a 2796 performance rating at the FIDE World Rapid Team Championship. His impressive results have strengthened his position among the world’s rising elite. Reaching the final in Goa is the biggest individual milestone of his career so far, and combined with his qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, it marks his arrival as one of the most ambitious young talents in top-level chess. Sindarov’s road to the 2025 FIDE World Cup finalRound 2: beat GM Nikita Petrov 1.5–0.5Round 3: beat GM Nikolas Theodorou 1.5–0.5Round 4: beat GM Yu Yangyi in rapid tiebreaksRound 5: beat GM Frederik Svane 1.5–0.5Quarterfinals: beat GM José Martínez in a six-game classic–rapid–blitz marathonSemifinals: beat GM Nodirbek Yakubboev in rapid tiebreaks Both finalists are not only serious Candidates contenders, but entirely deserving World Cup finalists. Tomorrow, only one will lift the Viswanathan Anand Trophy. The winner will be decided in the tiebreaks beginning at 15:00. Don’t miss it. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Jan Gustafsson and Peter Leko. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE] Written by WIM Charlize van Zyl
FIDE World Cup: Esipenko strikes first against Yakubboev as Sindarov and Wei Yi draw
After seven gruelling rounds and twenty-three days of intense chess, the FIDE World Cup reached its final stage with Wei Yi and Javokhir Sindarov battling for first place and the 120,000 USD first prize, and Andrey Esipenko and Nodirbek Yakubboev fighting for third place and the final Candidates qualification spot. Both matches carry enormous weight, creating a tense atmosphere throughout the hall. In the match for the title, a complex opening led to a position where Wei Yi had chances to push for more, but with the Black pieces he steered the game toward a more balanced continuation and an eventual draw. On the other board, Andrey Esipenko successfully recovered from yesterday’s loss and struck first in his match against Yakubboev. A notable change in the hall today was the arrival of the official trophy, the Viswanathan Anand Trophy, displayed on the stage for the first time. Glistening under the overhead lights, it immediately drew the attention of media, spectators, and the players themselves. The ceremonial first move was made by Indian sporting icon Abhinav Bindra, an Olympic gold medalist in shooting who made history by winning India’s first-ever individual Olympic gold. A fitting choice for the board of Wei Yi – Sindarov, as both players are Olympiad gold medalists themselves in 2014, 2018, and 2022 respectively. Let’s take a look at the two games today: Game 1 results Andrey Esipenko 1-0 Nodirbek Yakubboev Javokhir Sindarov ½ – ½ Wei Yi Andrey Esipenko (2693) vs Nodirbek Yakubboev (2689) Emotionally, the battle for third place may be even more demanding, as both players entered today still carrying the weight of semifinal losses. Yakubboev was coming off a ½–1½ tiebreak defeat to his compatriot Javokhir Sindarov, while Esipenko had experienced an equally painful ½–1½ loss defined by one final, decisive blunder that turned a winning position into a loss. As our commentator GM Peter Leko noted during the broadcast, the best way to recover from a loss is simply to play good moves the next day, and that is exactly what Esipenko did to take the lead in the match. An Open Sicilian that soon transposed into the Four Knights Variation set the tone. The game quickly entered a sideline chosen by Yakubboev, who then spent considerable time on his ninth move, raising questions about his level of preparation and confidence. Esipenko achieved the better position out of the opening, and an important moment soon arose: Here, 15.Nd6 is a strong knight jump that plants a thorn in Black’s camp. After 15…Bxd6 16.exd6, the pawn cannot be captured by the queen straight away due to the threat of c4 hitting the pinned bishop. And after 16…Bxf3 17.Rxf3 Qxd6 18.f5, White is clearly better. In his post-game visit to the studio, Esipenko explained that he had seen this line but did not evaluate it as favorably for White as the computer suggests. Instead, he opted for 15.Be3 and the game continued. Eventually, the players transitioned into an endgame that chess engines evaluate as equal. Still, it required a great deal of accuracy from Black. After making a couple of inaccuracies, Sindarov should have gone for a rook endgame down a pawn with drawing prospects, but he chose otherwise. White was already slightly better on both the board and the clock. For better or worse Black should have traded his knight for the bishop and work hard for a draw after 32…Nxc1 33.Kxc1 cxb3 34.axb3 Rd3 35.Rf2+ Ke7 36.Rf3 Rd5. However, with only a few minutes remaining, Black played 32…h5?, allowing Esipenko to keep the bishop with 33.Bd2 (although Be3 was even stronger). After that, Black’s position collapsed rapidly: 33…Ra5 34.Be3 a6 35.bxc4 Re5 36.Bd4 Rg5 37.Kf2 Rxg3 38.Be3 and Yakubboev resigned. Aside from playing good moves, Esipenko described how he recovered after yesterday’s heartbreak: dinner at his favourite restaurant, time relaxing with his second, and switching off from chess by watching the Arsenal vs Tottenham football match,.made even sweeter by his favourite team, Arsenal, winning and lifting his mood. Now the momentum shifts to Yakubboev, who must regroup and strike back with the White pieces tomorrow. Javokhir Sindarov (2721) vs Wei Yi (2752) The match for first place is a closely contested one, with both players in excellent form, riding strong momentum, and a touch of luck, from earlier rounds. Although both earned Candidates qualification after their semifinal victories, the work is far from over. One match remains to determine the overall champion and the significant prize fund. Both entered today with confidence reinforced by winning their previous matches. With the Black pieces, Wei Yi again relied on his main weapon of the event; the Petroff Defense: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6. Sindarov countered with the lesser-played Modern Attack, 3.d4, soon reaching a fresh position. Judging by their quick pace, both players appeared very well-prepared. The game evolved into a high-level strategic battle where both continued with impressive accuracy. It was the kind of game that is difficult to fully grasp at a glance, but revealing of the depth of understanding that top-level players possess. When everything appeared balanced, an important moment emerged: White should simply capture on c5 here, but instead erred with 22.Rb1, giving Black a chance, though not an easy one to convert. The sequence 22…Qxd3 23.Qxd3 Bxd3 24.Rxb2 resulted in the following position: This is the final critical moment. Black was the one pressing but needed to find 24…Rxf4! After 25.Nxc5 Rxg4 26.Bg3 Bxf1 27.Kxf1 Rf8+, Black has a rook and two pawns for two minor pieces. It is by no means winning, but Black is the stronger side pushing for something. Instead, Wei Yi chose 24…Bxe4, and the game immediately simplified into a drawn opposite-colored bishops endgame, followed by an expected draw. In the post-game interview, Wei Yi mentioned that he had calculated 24…Rxf4 but evaluated it as better for White, and since he had the Black pieces today, he preferred the more solid continuation, an outcome he said he was satisfied with. Tomorrow the players switch colours. Let’s
FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge: Deadline approaching
Participants of FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge have until November 30, 2025, to submit their stories under the theme “Every Move Counts.” To date, the Challenge has received 32 submissions from the following countries: Germany, Nigeria, El Salvador, South Africa, Ghana, USA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, England, Guam, Netherlands, Kenya, Spain, India, Lesotho, Vietnam, Hungary, Mauritius, Costa Rica, and Brazil. The challenge invites filmmakers, educators, and chess promoters worldwide to showcase how chess is changing lives and strengthening communities. From classrooms and rehabilitation centers to local clubs and public spaces, these stories reveal how the game can inspire growth, connection, and inclusion. Participants can enter in two categories: Professional and Grassroots (Amateur), and are encouraged to submit short films that highlight the social impact of chess in creative and authentic ways. Winning films will receive a FIDE trophy and an invitation to the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Chess Olympiad, including accommodation for two nights for two guests. The selected stories will also be featured during the 2025 FIDE Social Chess Conference and showcased on FIDE’s official media channels. Participation is open to everyone, regardless of age or nationality. Submission deadline: November 30, 2025 Submit your film here: fide.com/social2025-storytelling-challenge/#send
From Pawns to Queens: A new Chess in Schools Initiative
The Singapore Chess Federation “SCF” is delighted to announce our latest project, “From Pawns to Queens”, a chess in schools initiative in collaboration with Greenwood Primary School. This project aims to trial a large-scale beginner chess programme to promote chess learning among the school’s Primary 1 and Primary 2 students, with the longer term goal to make chess a regular feature in the school’s programmes at all levels, and use chess learning to teach essential cognitive and life skills. The idea of the name “From Pawns to Queens” stemmed from the literal meaning of teaching our young students how to move all the pieces. Beyond mastering the game, our mission is to inspire children to embrace the concepts of empowerment, growth, and development—both on and off the board. Just as pawns have the potential to become queens through strategic effort and perseverance, we encourage kids to realise their own potential, develop confidence, and grow into empowered individuals. The project started with a chess camp that took place on the 4th and 5th of November. Each day began with a mass briefing in the school hall, with Woman FIDE Master Dijana Dengler explaining the origin of chess and the absolute basics to 455 Primary 1 and 2 (aged 7 and 8) students. Dijana, a councilor in FIDE’s Chess in Education Commission and a chess teacher at Overseas Family School is highly experienced and skilled at teaching the basics of chess to young children. Her entertaining presentation, with the help of FT Philipp Ziegler, also from Overseas Family School, captivated the audiences who eagerly engaged with her whenever questions were posed. Dijana Dengler and Philipp Ziegler from Overseas Family School provided engaging teaching sessions to the Greenwood Primary kids After 45 minutes, the group returned to their respective classrooms for a more in-depth learning experience. The SCF team, together with 16 volunteers from the chess community, then spent the next 2 hours continuing the teaching process, and allowing the children to experience playing chess against each other for the first time. The feedback from the school was highly positive. Many of the kids expressed joy at learning the game and wished to learn more after the training camp. SCF hopes to continue our collaboration with Greenwood Primary School in bringing more chess to its students. The Singapore Chess Community came together to launch this programme The SCF is heartened that the Singapore Chess Community has stepped forward to support this programme. We sincerely thank the following partners: Greenwood Primary School Team Principal: Mrs. Tricilia Chua Vice-Principal: Mr. Tan Kar Wee Year Head/Lower Primary: Mrs. Sharon Teo Assistant Year Head/Lower Primary: Mdm Celeste Teo Chess Academies and teachers Ms Elisha Paciencia, Ms Ericka Paciencia, Mr Aziz Abdul from Chess Grande Mr. Osric Mooi WIM Anjela Khegay FM Dino Ballecer from Chess Whizdom Mr. Arlan Cabe from Chess Castle Pte Ltd Mr. Jedidiah Huang from The Jedi Chess Academy Chess enthusiasts Ms Vanessa Mcconville, Ms Dijana Dengler and Mr. Philipp Ziegler from Overseas Family School Mr. Peter Dengler from London Stock Exchange Group Students Mr. Andrew Tan, Ms. Eden Pang, Ms. Audelle Sim, Mr. Joash Chan and Ms. Dayana Chin For more information regarding From Pawns to Queens and other SCF social initiatives, please contact socialprojects@singaporechess.org.sg
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/