Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 13. November 2025, 21:53 Uhr

2025-11-13 Shockwaves in Goa: Dubov, Shankland, and the day of “giant killers”   The fourth round of the FIDE World Cup in Goa ended with one of the most intense and dramatic tiebreak sessions of the event so far. Eleven matches returned to the playing hall this afternoon, with players battling it out across multiple time controls, from rapid to blitz and even Armageddon, to determine who would advance to the coveted round of sixteen. From the very start, it was clear that this would be a day of upsets and surprises. Several top seeds were eliminated, including multiple +2700-rated players, as underdogs seized their chances in rapid and blitz play. Experience, stamina, and nerves of steel became as crucial as opening preparation, as every mistake carried immediate consequences. By the end of the session, the field had been cut in half once again, revealing a captivating mix of established stars and fearless young talents. With just sixteen players remaining, the World Cup is entering its decisive phase, and the fight for the title, and for the coveted Candidates spots, is more open than ever.

The round was opened by IA Dharmendra Kumar, President of the South Asian Chess Council and Chair of the 2025 FIDE World Cup Appeals Committee. He played 1.e4 for Peter Leko on board two. Quite surprisingly, no fewer than eight of the eleven tiebreak matches were decided in the very first section of the afternoon, consisting of two 15-minute games with a 10-second increment.

The first player to qualify for the round of sixteen and the biggest surprise of the day was GM Aleksey Grebnev (2611), who eliminated one of the pre-tournament favourites, GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2737). Known for his deep opening preparation and sharp tactical vision, Grebnev recently won the 2025 Dubai Open, a strong international event featuring several elite grandmasters, proving he is no stranger to facing world-class opposition.

Although Vachier-Lagrave is a renowned specialist in blitz and rapid chess, Grebnev seized his chances brilliantly, winning the first game with White and then steering the second into a well-known theoretical draw to clinch the match. The key moment came in the first game:

Despite being under pressure in a difficult endgame, the Frenchman still had drawing chances, but in time trouble he blundered with 47…Nd5+? (the correct move was 47…b5, with approximate equality). After 48.Kd4! b5 49.Bh6!, Black was suddenly lost due to the unstoppable threat of Bf8, which wins material. Soon after, another of the 2700+ favourites fell. GM Richard Rapport (2724) will have to wait another two years for another shot at the title, after losing both rapid tiebreak games to GM Sam Shankland (2654). A cornerstone of American chess for over a decade, known for his disciplined preparation and exceptional endgame technique, Shankland opted for the solid Caro–Kann Defence to neutralize Rapport’s creative initiative in the first game. The strategy paid off perfectly when the Hungarian number one faltered in the late middlegame.

“I wasn’t very optimistic going into the tiebreak. In classical, it hasn’t gone too badly, but in rapid, he’s clobbered me before,” Shankland admitted in his post-game interview. This time, however, he turned the tables convincingly. In the second game, Rapport’s decision to employ the Pirc Modern Defence backfired spectacularly, as he soon found himself in a cramped, passive position, and Shankland efficiently converted the advantage, sealing the match with a 25-move miniature. GM Nils Grandelius (2645) will also be leaving Goa tomorrow, eliminated by GM Pentala Harikrishna (2697). The long-time Swedish number one, celebrated for his deep opening preparation and creative ideas, came up short in the first game, letting his opponent off the hook at a critical moment.

With the psychological edge on his side, the player from Andhra Pradesh, renowned for his strategic depth and superb endgame technique, displayed his full class in the second encounter. Harikrishna crafted a strategic masterpiece, patiently outmanoeuvring his opponent to secure victory and advance to Round Five. By winning the first game and comfortably drawing the second, accepting a repetition in a completely winning position, GM Frederik Svane (2638) secured his spot in the round of sixteen, joining his compatriot Alexander Donchenko and confirming the impressive depth of the younger German generation.

His opponent, GM Shant Sargsyan (2667) of Armenia, was unable to recover after losing the first game. The key moment came on move thirty

White’s control of the d-file and pressure on the e5-pawn promised a lasting edge. However, after 30…Ne6! 31.Nxe5 Qg5! 32.Qxg5 Nxg5, Black would still have had reasonable drawing chances. Instead, short on time, Sargsyan spent two of his last three minutes to play 30…f6?, fatally weakening his kingside. Svane immediately seized the moment with 31.Nh4!, launching a decisive attack. Notably, Black could no longer contest the d-file with 31…Rad8, as 32.Nf5! wins material after 32…Qc7 33.Rxd8 Rxd8 34.Rxd8 Rxd8 35.Qa7, picking up at least a pawn. Despite determined resistance, the Armenian grandmaster could not save the game.

GM Daniil Dubov (2684) produced one of the major upsets of the day, eliminating the 2023 Baku finalist and Indian hero GM Praggnanandhaa R (2771). Continuing the same pragmatic approach that has served him well in earlier tiebreaks, Dubov offered an early 12-move draw with the White pieces, effectively shifting the pressure onto his opponent to create winning chances in the second game. In his post-game interview with FIDE’s WIM Charlize van Zyl, Dubov explained his rationale: “Against players so good that I can’t really get an advantage in the opening, my strategy is to make a draw with White and get a game with Black.”

And once again, his plan worked perfectly. In the diagrammed position, with both players down to their final minute, Praggnanandhaa erred with 35.Bxd5?, allowing 35…exf2+ 36.Qxf2 Bb6!, after which the Indian grandmaster was unable to defend against the threats along the long diagonal. “I don’t think he showed his best in this tournament, but even so, it was very close,” Dubov reflected after the game.

With each round that passes, GM Arjun Erigaisi (2773) looks increasingly likely to secure a spot in the Candidates Tournament. A member of India’s young and dynamic elite, Erigaisi is known for his precise calculation, universal style, and fearless preparation. Not only does he hold the highest rating among the remaining players, but he continues to dispatch his opponents with remarkable composure and control.

GM Peter Leko (2666), who will now join Jan Gustafsson in the official broadcast commentary team for the rest of the event, was no match for the Indian star in the rapid tiebreaks. In the first game, Leko sacrificed a pawn in pursuit of an attack but failed to generate sufficient compensation and was gradually outplayed in the ensuing endgame. In the second encounter, Erigaisi maintained full control with the White pieces. Though Leko found a few drawing chances in the late middlegame, the Indian grandmaster never lost his grip on the position and eventually converted convincingly, sealing another impressive match victory. A key figure in Armenia’s golden generation, GM Gabriel Sargissian (2624) has been instrumental in leading his national team to three Chess Olympiad gold medals (2006, 2008, 2012).

Renowned for his deep preparation and rock-solid style, Sargissian remains one of the most respected professionals on the circuit, and this afternoon he added another impressive victory to his résumé, eliminating America’s GM Awonder Liang (2710) by winning the first rapid tiebreak game and calmly drawing the second.

The key moment of the match came deep into the endgame. With both players under severe time pressure, Liang blundered with 62…Rh1?, allowing 63.Ra7!, after which the advancing c-pawn proved unstoppable, ultimately costing Black his bishop.  Instead, the engine confirms that the exchange of rooks would have maintained the balance: 62…Rxa2 63.Nxa2 Kf3! 64.Nb4 Kxe3 65.Nd5+ Kd4 66.Nxc7 Kc5 — a long and precise defensive line, but nearly impossible to calculate accurately with seconds remaining on the clock. On paper, the match between GM Javokhir Sindarov (2721) and GM Yu Yangyi (2720), the opponents separated by just a single rating point, was one of the closest of the round. It was a tough match,” explained Sindarov after the game. “Yu Yangyi is very solid, but I tried to take advantage of my chances in the match.”

Anything could have happened in the tiebreaks, but after a balanced draw in the first rapid game, Sindarov sealed the deal in the second, prevailing in a wild queen and pawn endgame. “We both know that certain positions are theoretically drawn, but rapid games are very stressful, and these types of positions are very difficult to play. The match took a lot of my energy, and I’m very tired,” admitted the Uzbek star after qualifying for the round of sixteen. The three remaining matches, all of which ended in draws in both of their initial rapid games, advanced to the next stage of faster time controls: 10-minute games with a 10-second increment.

Only one of these encounters produced a decisive result, as GM Andrey Esipenko (2693) eliminated one of the main favourites to go all the way, GM Vincent Keymer (2755). “He is a tough player; it was a tough match. I couldn’t get anything with White, but I think I played well in the third game,” Esipenko explained after securing his qualification. Born in 2002, Esipenko is one of the brightest talents of his generation. A former 2700+ player, he became a grandmaster at just 17 and quickly gained recognition for his universal style and fearless play against elite opposition. Although Keymer was the favourite on paper, Esipenko dominated both 10/10 games, demonstrating clear superiority. The first two 15/10 games had been balanced, with Keymer even pressing slightly in the opener. However, a critical blunder in a rook endgame during the first of the shorter games decided the match, and the German was unable to recover in the rematch. “He looked quite upset after the first loss, but he played a good game – he just collapsed in the time scramble,” Esipenko added, clearly satisfied to move on to the round of sixteen.

The two remaining matches of the day were decided in the blitz section. After four consecutive draws in the rapid games, GM Wei Yi (2754) finally broke through, showcasing his exceptional blitz skills to eliminate GM Parham Maghsoodloo (2697) and advance to the round of sixteen. In the other match, GM Samuel Sevian (2698) joined his compatriot Sam Shankland in the next round after a dramatic victory over one of the revelations of this World Cup, GM Lorenzo Lodici (2560).

Their duel went the full distance, trading wins and losses throughout the tiebreaks, and was ultimately decided in Armageddon, without a doubt the most thrilling encounter of the day. “It was a crazy match, back and forth, with both of us having chances. Lorenzo has played fantastic chess – on demand winning two very good games,” a visibly relieved Sevian told Charlize van Zyl moments after clinching the final game. “I bid a certain time that I would be happy with White or Black – that was my strategy.”

With these results, the field for the round of sixteen is now complete, a fascinating mix of rising prodigies and seasoned grandmasters, all still in contention for one of chess’s most prestigious titles. Round 5 pairings

Game 1 of Round 5 will be played on November 14 at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza and Eteri Kublashvili

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 14. November 2025, 22:26 Uhr

2025-11-14 World Cup Round 5 Game 1: Sindarov strikes as giants battle to a standstill in Goa   The atmosphere at the Rio Resort in Goa was electric this afternoon as players returned to the boards for another round of top-level action. The spotlight quickly shifted to Board 2, where Levon Aronian and Arjun Erigaisi delivered one of the most engaging and dynamic games of the day, drawing considerable attention from spectators and commentators alike. The ceremonial first moves were executed by two distinguished guests from the European chess community: Gunnar Björnsson, CEO of the Icelandic Chess Federation and Vice President of the European Chess Union, and Alojzije Janković, also a Vice President of the European Chess Union. Their presence underscored the strong international support and camaraderie surrounding the event. As the pieces were set in motion, anticipation built around whether the sharp tactical exchange between Aronian and Erigaisi would set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. It certainly did – capturing the spirit of competition that has defined this year’s battles in Goa.

After around ninety minutes of play, the first result of the afternoon arrived. The Peruvian-Mexican phenomenon, GM José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara (2644), continued his remarkable run by securing a solid draw against India’s GM Pentala Harikrishna (2697). Martínez Alcántara has been producing the tournament of his life. In the previous two rounds, both times with the black pieces, he claimed impressive victories over GMs Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Alexey Sarana, winning the opening game of each match. Today, armed with the white pieces, he entered a deeply theoretical line of the Two Knights Defence, in which White typically gains a pawn at the cost of structural weaknesses and falling behind in development. One of these results came from GM Andrey Esipenko (2693), who, after yesterday’s exhausting tiebreak elimination of tournament favourite Vincent Keymer, opted for a calm and risk-free approach against Aleksey Grebnev (2611). Grebnev himself had just survived a taxing tiebreak against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, making a peaceful outcome mutually understandable. Play followed established theory up to move twenty-five, with at least sixteen moves matching top-level over-the-board or correspondence encounters found in current databases. All known predecessors have ended in draws, including one by GM Javokhir Sindarov, also competing in this Round of 16.

Given the speed and confidence with which both players executed their moves, it was evident they were well-prepared and content with a balanced outcome. Harikrishna will enjoy the white pieces in tomorrow’s game, while Martínez Alcántara has already demonstrated lethal form with black, having defeated both his previous opponents from that side of the board. With both players registering 99% accuracy, a peaceful result was practically inevitable, and fully justified. About an hour later, a short burst of activity swept through the playing hall as three games concluded within ten minutes, all ending in solid, uneventful draws. One of these results came from GM Andrey Esipenko (2693), who, after yesterday’s exhausting tiebreak elimination of tournament favourite Vincent Keymer, opted for a calm and risk-free approach against Aleksey Grebnev (2611). Grebnev himself had just survived a taxing tiebreak against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, making a peaceful outcome mutually understandable.

Drawing inspiration from a 2019 encounter in which Esipenko faced GM Rakhmanov (2638), Grebnev arrived fully equipped with home preparation in one of the most solid and respected continuations of the Petrov Defence. Esipenko attempted to sidestep prior theory with a small refinement – 12.Nb5 instead of the more common 12.Bf4 – but Grebnev remained completely unfazed. He rattled off his first twenty moves with confidence, showing no sign of discomfort. With a fully symmetrical pawn structure on the board and no practical prospects for either side to create winning chances, the players agreed to a draw on move thirty-one. Accuracy scores hovering around 95% reflected the clean and disciplined play delivered by both competitors. What awaits tomorrow remains to be seen, but based on today’s balance of power, this match appears a strong candidate to head for tiebreaks, a scenario in which both Esipenko and Grebnev may feel they have realistic chances to outplay the other.

In a symmetrical variation of the English Opening, GM Alexander Donchenko (2641) and GM Lê Quang Liêm (2729) contested a strategically rich, though ultimately balanced, encounter. While the final accuracy scores, an impressive 98% for both players, might suggest a quiet affair, the game was anything but effortless. Both grandmasters invested significant time at key moments, carefully navigating the subtle nuances of the position.

One of the most intriguing moments arose just out of the opening. Holding an extra pawn, Donchenko had the tempting option of 18.axb6 axb6 19.Rfc1, but this line allowed Black dynamic possibilities such as 19…Nc4, granting Lê Quang Liêm sufficient counterplay to maintain equilibrium. Recognizing the latent danger, and after deliberating for just over ten minutes, Donchenko chose the prudent path with 18.Qc2, returning the pawn and steering the game toward safety. From that moment, the position began to simplify naturally. Forced sequences followed, exchanges swept pieces off the board, and the game peacefully concluded with a draw on move thirty-one. A clean and professional display from both sides, the game exemplified the high level of precision that has come to define this stage of the tournament. Before the round began, I found myself—as I often do—chatting with fellow specialists while surveying the match-ups from a distance. Theo from Lichess and Shahid from ChessBase India are two of my usual companions in these pre-game exchanges. As we compared notes, Shahid and I agreed that the encounter between GM Gabriel Sargissian (2624) and GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (2689) was as close to a 50/50 toss-up as one could get.

Although Yakubboev holds the higher rating on paper, Sargissian’s reputation as a rock-solid competitor, especially with the White pieces, made the prediction far from straightforward. Today’s clash, a pristine 99% accuracy effort by both players, once again highlighted the immense depth and technical discipline of these two grandmasters: no mistakes, no inaccuracies, simply a flawless game. Sargissian repeated his trusted Catalan, but was unable to carve out any meaningful edge from the opening. He ventured into a line that momentarily sacrifices a pawn in pursuit of active piece play, yet Yakubboev calmly returned the material, opting instead to secure a superior pawn structure. Subsequent simplifications flowed naturally, and with the position fully equalized, and both players still holding more than twenty-five minutes on their clocks, the game concluded in a draw on move thirty-two. A clean, professional effort from two world-class competitors, exactly the sort of poised balance one expects from a match-up this finely matched More than an hour passed before the next result came in, the heavyweight showdown between two of the top contenders for the title: GM Arjun Erigaisi (2773) and GM Levon Aronian (2722). Tipped by many as the game of the day, and by others as a potential “dream final,” the encounter certainly lived up to its billing. Despite the absence of mistakes or inaccuracies, yet another 99% accuracy game, there was no shortage of tension, ideas, and instructive subtleties.

As early as move three, Aronian threw a surprise into the mix with 3…Nd7, an offbeat but playable sideline that appears in less than 0.5% of games arising from this classical Queen’s Gambit structure. Amusingly, Erigaisi himself had ventured the same line in 2024 against former World Champion Ding Liren, and he showed no sign of discomfort today. He replied swiftly, and the players soon found themselves navigating fresh territory. The next key moment arrived on move sixteen, when Aronian made an enterprising decision that allowed an exchange and left his castled king’s structure severely damaged.

Faced with the direct threat against f6, many players would choose a consolidating move such as 16…Qe7 or 16…Nh5. Aronian, however, demonstrated the depth of his strategic insight once again, opting for the remarkable 16…Rd8!, the engine’s top choice. After 17.Bxf6 gxf6, Black’s king position looked compromised, but the two-time World Cup winner evaluated the situation with absolute clarity: White would struggle to exploit the structural weaknesses, and Black would later benefit from the newly opened g-file. His judgement proved spot-on. The position gradually liquidated toward equality, and with the balance never breaking, the players agreed to a draw on move forty-one. Erigaisi and Aronian left the board together, chatting amicably as they analyzed their shared battle – a fitting end to a world-class contest between two elite competitors.

One of Team USA’s three remaining contenders in the World Cup, GM Sam Shankland (2654), may well have used up one of his nine lives this afternoon in his tense encounter with GM Daniil Dubov (2684). Dubov hinted at the possibility of entering the sharp and well-analysed Marshall Attack in the Closed Ruy Lopez, prompting Shankland to wisely sidestep the line: today was not the day for diving into pages of theory packed with tactical landmines.

The game remained balanced deep into the middlegame. Only after the queens came off did the first major decision arise, when Shankland boldly chose to sacrifice an exchange in return for a dangerous passed pawn on the seventh rank. The engines approved, though the plan carried plenty of practical risk.

With the rook on e1 attacked, the natural 21.Rd1 was a solid alternative. Instead, Shankland opted for the ambitious sequence 21.Rxc7 Bxe1 22.Nxe1 Rf7 23.b6, emerging with two pawns for the exchange and more than adequate compensation thanks to his active minor pieces and powerful passer. It was a fascinating moment, especially given Shankland’s own advice from one of his best-known books, Small Steps 2 Success: Mastering Passed Pawn Play, where he warns that pawns pushed cannot be taken back, a principle he would soon test under pressure.

A few moves later, the position remained roughly balanced, and both 42.b5 and 42.fxe4 would have kept matters under firm control. Instead, Shankland played 42.f4?, a move that went directly against his own teachings, seriously compromising his structure and inviting Black’s counterplay. Dubov had not one, but two opportunities to seize the win with the powerful thrust 42…e3!, followed by 43…Be4 or 43…Ba2–c4, depending on where White placed his king. Instead, Dubov erred with 42…Ba2, missing the key resource, and again failed to play …e3 on the subsequent move. Once the dust settled, Shankland managed to stabilise and escape with a crucial draw, a result that keeps his hopes alive and may yet carry him into the tiebreaks. The Chinese school of chess has long mastered the intricacies of the Petrov Defence, with figures such as Li Chao employing it effortlessly as a reliable and solid weapon with Black. And although GM Wei Yi (2754) is celebrated for his sharp tactical flair, his command of the Russian Defence is nothing short of exceptional. Facing GM Samuel Sevian (2698), the Chinese superstar delivered a superb performance, navigating every nuance of the position with remarkable clarity. In a clean and confident effort, Wei Yi produced yet another 99% accuracy game, neutralising all of Sevian’s ideas and tactical attempts before they could take root.

With this smooth draw, Wei Yi heads into the second game with the White pieces, placing him as the clear favourite to advance to the quarterfinals, a trajectory that seems well in line with the form he has displayed throughout the event. The last game of the day was also the only decisive result, as GM Javokhir Sindarov delivered a superb victory to take the lead in his match against GM Frederik Svane. Showcasing flawless endgame technique, Sindarov demonstrated the power of the two bishops, steadily constricting Black’s position and displaying exemplary management of both the position and the clock. Yet despite his excellent overall performance, it was a middlegame moment that particularly caught my attention.

After spending twelve of his remaining twenty-five minutes, Sindarov chose the principled 28.dxe5, a strong move that either wins a pawn outright or secures magnificent diagonals for the bishop pair. A completely sound, thematic decision. However, the engine indicates that White had an even more ambitious and powerful option: 28.d5!, after which …Qd7 is met with the stunning 29.Rxf6!, sacrificing the exchange to launch a direct assault on Black’s castled king. There is no immediate forced win, but after 29…gxf6 30.Qd2, White’s pieces pour toward the kingside, and the resulting initiative is enormous. I have little doubt that Sindarov examined both possibilities deeply before opting for the low-risk, positionally sound continuation. Still, I can’t help but wonder: in a friendly blitz game, free from match pressure and long-term consequences… which line would he have chosen?

Fans in Goa were treated to a day of discipline, technique, and high-level calculation, but the real fireworks may well come tomorrow. With most matches still perfectly balanced and several storylines ready to unfold, the tension is mounting. The next round will reveal who can deliver under pressure, who has the best preparation, and who is ready to take the next step toward World Cup glory. Game 2 of Round 5 will be played on November 15 at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal Photos: Eteri Kublashvili

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 15. November 2025, 22:45 Uhr

2025-11-15 World Cup Round 5 Game 2: Chinese momentum, Uzbek steel, and Armenian tragedy in a thrilling day of chess Round after round, the FIDE World Cup in Goa continues to deliver high-level chess and gripping storylines. Today’s classical games brought a mixture of precise technique, strategic battles, and edge-of-the-seat tension, with several matches heading toward the inevitable tiebreaks. From commanding wins to miraculous escapes, the field once again showcased the depth and fighting spirit of the world’s elite players. It was a difficult day for Armenian chess, marked by the sudden and emotionally heavy exit of two of its most iconic figures. Levon Aronian, once the heartbeat of Armenian teams and now a pillar of American chess, fell after a tense, error-studded battle. Minutes later, Gabriel Sargissian, long admired for his team heroics and impeccable opening preparation, also bowed out after a single, costly misstep. Their simultaneous elimination closed a chapter of resilience and brilliance that has defined Armenian chess for two decades.

But if anyone needed a reminder of the steely resolve that made Uzbekistan Olympiad champions, today’s games provided it. Under pressure, under fire, or under the clock, the Uzbek players simply refused to break. Javokhir Sindarov coolly neutralized every attempt to unbalance him, while Nodirbek Yakubboev struck with cold precision to secure his spot in the next stage. Their collective discipline and composure have become one of the defining narratives of the event: unyielding, confident, and remarkably mature for such a young squad.

Let’s take a closer look at this afternoon’s action in the Goa Resort Rio. With so much at stake, it was clear from the outset that several matches were destined for the tiebreaks. And indeed, the first two games to finish — just shy of the two-hour mark — were precisely the two I had predicted before the round began. The round was officially opened by GM Humpy Koneru, runner-up of the Women’s World Championship and reigning two-time Women’s World Rapid Champion, who performed the first ceremonial move on Board 3 for former World Rapid Champion GM Daniil Dubov.

GM Daniil Dubov’s (2684) classical-game strategy in this event has been remarkably consistent: minimise risk, avoid unnecessary complications, and steer the match toward rapid tiebreaks, where he excels as a former World Rapid Champion. It was therefore no surprise that he opted to reproduce a line from a previous game between GM Sam Shankland (2654) and GM Dmitry Andreikin in the Grünfeld Defence: a highly theoretical path that, with accurate play, leads almost inevitably to a draw.

In this variation, Dubov sacrifices a pawn, but with precise moves there is virtually no danger of losing (or winning). A 99% accuracy rate tells the story well enough. I caught up with Shankland as he was leaving the venue. After congratulating him on his performance so far, he referenced that very game against Andreikin: “It’s a dead draw. I think he wants to play the tiebreak.” The second game to finish, also showing an impressive 98% accuracy, was the encounter between GMs Aleksey Grebnev (2611) and Andrey Esipenko (2693). In a fully symmetrical Queen’s Gambit Accepted, neither player was willing to take even the slightest risk, both likely believing they hold the upper hand in the tiebreaks. With two open files on the board, they exchanged rooks on one of them and then repeated moves, reaching the thirty-move mark with most of the pieces still in play.

This match has been the most evenly balanced of all eight pairings, and predicting a favourite in the rapid segment feels nearly impossible. It would not be surprising if this one ends up going all the way to blitz before a winner emerges. Over an hour passed before the next result came in. With White, GM Pentala Harikrishna (2697) attempted to press GM José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara (2644) in an offbeat line of the King’s Indian Attack. The former Indian Olympiad team member managed to create a mild pull in the early middlegame, but Martínez Alcántara’s defensive technique was flawless this afternoon. After a series of mass simplifications, the players agreed to a draw on move thirty-five in a level endgame.

This tiebreak is also extremely hard to call. Martínez Alcántara is a blitz specialist — his online results rival those of Carlsen and Nakamura — and he currently holds a slightly higher FIDE rapid rating. But Harikrishna’s vast experience and steadiness under pressure mean he will be anything but an easy opponent. Within the space of just ten minutes, the first two decisive results of the day arrived back-to-back and, with them, the elimination of the two Armenian legends still remaining in the event: Levon Aronian (now representing the USA) and Gabriel Sargissian. The clash between heavyweights GMs Levon Aronian (2722) and Arjun Erigaisi (2773) delivered all the excitement one could hope for. The opening and middlegame remained largely balanced, but as the players approached time trouble, the tension rose and the mistakes began to appear.

Aronian has just played 33.Qf2–f1, a move that looks perfectly normal at first glance, but a hidden tactical shot was lurking. Erigaisi, likely focused on other strategic ideas, missed the powerful 33…Bxh2!, winning a pawn. The point is revealed after 34.Kxh2 Rxe3! 35.Rxe3 Qf4+, picking up the rook with a winning position. Instead, 33…Re6? was played. Even so, giving a player of Erigaisi’s caliber a second chance is rarely survivable. A few moves later, under increasing pressure, Aronian finally faltered.

Here, Aronian needed to play 38.Rf1 to keep the game going. Instead, his fatal 38.Re1?? allowed the crushing response 38…Nh3!, and with it, his elimination. White’s queen is completely overloaded, unable to defend both the rook and the bishop (which is itself guarding against mate on h2). After 39.gxh3 Rxe1 followed by …Qxf3#, or the spectacular 39.Qf1 Nxg1 40.Rxe6 Qh2#, there is no escape. “It was a tough match; at some point, I started regretting some of my moves, and I wasn’t sure about my position. When he offered me a draw, my confidence increased,” Erigaisi explained afterward in his interview with Charlize van Zyl.

The second Armenian player to be eliminated today was GM Gabriel Sargissian (2624), who, in truth, committed only a single serious mistake, but it was enough to cost him both the game and the match against Uzbekistan’s GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (2689).

With the Black pieces, Sargissian had been under pressure from the very beginning. Confronted with the powerful two-bishop setup and an intensifying kingside attack, he spent six of his remaining ten minutes before faltering with 29…Nc6?. Yakubboev pounced immediately: 30.Qxg7 Qxa4 31.Qf8+ Kd7, and now the cold-blooded 32.Ba3! This quiet but deadly move shuts down all queenside counterplay, prepares a queen exchange, and leads to a winning endgame thanks to the dominant bishop pair. Instead, the only move to stay afloat was 29…Qxa4. Crucially, after that, 30.Qxg7 would no longer work due to the interposing 30…Qc6+, winning for Black. A tough exit for Sargissian, but one that caps a remarkable and deeply commendable run in this event.

The three remaining games all reached move forty and headed into extra time. The first of them to conclude, and the one that confirmed another Uzbek qualification, was GM Frederik Svane (2638) drawing his game against GM Javokhir Sindarov (2721). Needing only a draw to advance, Sindarov chose the Open Spanish, one of Black’s most reliable and principled systems. Svane pushed hard, eventually even winning a pawn in the endgame, but Sindarov’s deep understanding of the resulting structures allowed him to neutralise every attempt and steer the game safely toward equality. After being the last player to leave the venue yesterday, Sindarov understandably declined an interview, but Charlize is not someone who gives up easily. Check it out!

One of my personal favourites, GM Wei Yi (2754), continues his march toward the quarterfinals, and with each passing round, he grows into one of the quiet favourites to secure a coveted spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Facing GM Samuel Sevian (2698) – who, it must be said, has enjoyed a superb event – Wei Yi calmly converted an extra pawn he won in the opening, securing a smooth victory and earning himself a rest day while many of his potential rivals head to the tiebreaks.

At this level, a missed tactic in the opening is rarely forgiven. Sevian had several equalising moves at his disposal — 10…Be6, 10…Re8, even 10…Qf6 — but instead chose the ambitious 10…Bf5?, and was immediately punished by 11.Nxc6! A bolt from the blue that stunned the playing hall and left spectators murmuring in disbelief. White wins a clean pawn, as after 11…bxc6 12.Bxd6 the bishop on f5 falls. “I am excited. I was lucky today. I went for a boring game because a draw was good enough to reach the tiebreaks, but suddenly my opponent dropped a pawn. Maybe he could have held with very accurate play, but the pressure was high,” Wei Yi explained after the game.

Wei Yi took his time, showed exemplary technique, and calmly converted, a result that will have Chinese chess fans around the world dreaming of seeing him compete in Cyprus in April 2026. And for anyone who still isn’t familiar with what Wei Yi is capable of, I strongly recommend revisiting his legendary 2015 masterpiece against Cuban GM Lázaro Bruzón.

The final game of the round stretched well into the fifth hour of play. In an extraordinary save, GM Le Quang Liem (2729) escaped a completely lost rook ending against GM Alexander Donchenko (2641), forcing a tiebreak in which many would now consider him the favourite. Not only is Le a former World Blitz Champion, but he will also carry a powerful psychological edge into tomorrow’s rapid games after surviving what looked, for most of the afternoon, like a certain defeat. Donchenko had so many winning chances that it’s difficult to single out just one — but the last opportunity was perhaps the clearest.

After 69…Kg2 70.Rg6+, the simple 70…Rg3! would have sealed the win. White has no way of stopping the advancing h-pawn, and the technical task is straightforward. Donchenko almost certainly saw this idea, but perhaps believed that 69…Ke2?? would also lead to victory. Sadly for him, 70.Ra6! is one of the very few drawing moves in the position. The rook is perfectly placed to give perpetual checks along the first and second ranks while the king marches toward the h-pawn, and Donchenko’s advantage evaporated on the spot. The German grandmaster left the hall visibly crestfallen, fully aware of the win that had slipped away. Will he recover emotionally in time for tomorrow’s tiebreak? Stay tuned to find out.

And so we move to the tiebreaks, where reputations mean little, clocks tick louder, and every move could be your last. Tomorrow, the real battle begins. Round 5 tiebreaks: Pentala Harikrishna (2697) – José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara (2644) Andrey Esipenko (2693) – Aleksey Grebnev (2611) Le Quang Liem (2729) – Alexander Donchenko (2641) Daniil Dubov (2684) – Sam Shankland (2654) The Round 5 tiebreaks will be played on November 16 at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Peter Leko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 16. November 2025, 18:55 Uhr

FIDE World Cup: Quarterfinals set after high-stakes Round 5 tiebreaks   The FIDE World Cup in Goa reached a boiling point today as four intense tiebreak matches unfolded, each with a place in the quarterfinals on the line. With no more second chances and yesterday’s classical draws setting the stage, today’s rapid and blitz battles brought drama, tension, and decisive outcomes across the board.  Before the games began, the ceremonial first move was made for Lê Quang Liêm on Board 2, by Mr. Kedar J Naik, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Goa and Chairman of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.

Sam Shankland and Andrey Esipenko secured clean wins early in the first rapid portion against Daniil Dubov and Alexey Sarana respectively, while José Martínez defeated Pentala Harikrishna in the 10+10 rapid. Alexander Donchenko took Lê Quang Liêm into blitz territory before stamping his ticket to the next round. The quarterfinal lineup is now complete, and as the dust settled, four more players advanced with confidence and momentum on their side. Round of 16 tiebreaks results: Daniil Dubov 1-3 Sam Shankland Andrey Esipenko 2.5-1.5 Aleksey Grebnev José Martinez 3.5-2.5 Harikrishna Pentala Alexander Donchenko 4.5-3.5 Lê Quang Liêm Here’s how the day played out: Daniil Dubov – Sam Shankland In earlier interviews, Daniil Dubov made no secret of his strategy: to steer matches into tiebreaks. As a former World Rapid Champion, he felt this format played to his strengths. He also claimed that playing solidly with White and pushing with Black was the best way to capitalize on opponent’s overextending. But today, Sam Shankland flipped that plan on its head. Playing White in the first rapid game, he unleashed a novelty in the opening that led to an imbalanced position and early initiative on his side. With pressure mounting and the clock on his side, Shankland methodically limited Dubov’s options. Dubov, rarely short of creative ideas, struggled to find counterplay and instead fell into mistake after mistake, resulting in a convincing win for the American.

The second game, a symmetrical English, saw early queen exchanges and a dry position that offered little for either side. A draw seemed impending, but Dubov overpushed in the endgame, losing the game and with it, his World Cup run came to an end. After the match, Shankland reflected on reaching the quarterfinals once before in 2021, a run that ended painfully at the hands of Sergey Karjakin in tiebreaks. “That’s haunted me ever since,” he admitted, adding that he now hopes to “banish the demon” for good. Andrey Esipenko – Alexey Grebnev It raised eyebrows when Andrey Esipenko took relatively quick draws in his classical games against Arseniy Grebnev. But if anyone doubted his strategy, the first rapid game removed all uncertainty. After a Petroff turned into a wild opposite-side castling battle, Esipenko seized the initiative by move 14 and was in complete control by move 20. It was a dominant win. The second game was a stark contrast and stretched all the way to move 145. Esipenko, now with Black, came out of the opening in a stable position. When it looked like both players were shuffling pieces with no progress, Esipenko made a bold choice to open up the queenside. This ambition backfired with a missed tactic, and suddenly Grebnev was up a pawn. But nerves kicked in and Grebnev misplayed the critical move order and let Esipenko seize control once more.

The game soon turned into a technical endgame with each side down to a rook and Grebnev holding two pawns to Esipenko’s one. Esipenko, calm and prepared, navigated the position to a theoretical draw. Ironically, by move 145, both players had more time on their clocks than they did on move 50. With this match victory, Esipenko reached the deepest stage of a FIDE World Cup in his career. Harikrishna Pentala – José Martinez  This was widely expected to be the longest match of the day, especially after the first two rapid games ended in uneventful draws. Much of the chatter centered around José Martínez’s reputation as a blitz expert, regularly beating the world’s best online. That meant Harikrishna’s best chances were in the rapid phase.

In their first rapid game, the players entered a Richter-Rauzer Sicilian and while both appeared prepared, a few subtle inaccuracies left Harikrishna with isolated doubled pawns and passive pieces. Martínez, whose pieces worked seamlessly together, activated his rooks and pushed the kingside majority. The result was a smooth breakthrough and the first decisive game of their match – a must-win situation for Harikrishna in game two. In the second game, Harikrishna opted for an offbeat Caro-Kann with …Na6 on the third move, likely intending to avoid his opponent’s preparation. The opponents quickly entered unexplored territory and a critical position arose at move 21:

Harikrishna quickly played 20…Nd3?, a move which our commentator Peter Leko exclaimed is a good move if it does not lose. Martinez had to see the important move 21.g4! and after 21…Qe4 suddenly 22.Bxf7+ gives White a huge advantage as capturing is not possible due to Ng5. Instead, Martinez played 21.Rad1 and the position became equal once more. In his post-game interview, he acknowledged seeing this line but decided to not enter the complications. Even so, the move g4 was played a few turns later, this time with full effect. Harikrishna erred instantly and Martinez seized a decisive advantage. With everything in hand, Jose chose a threefold repetition to seal the draw and punch his ticket to quarterfinals. In his interview, Martinez issued a spirited challenge to the field: “Those who want to go far in this World Cup have to get through me.” With his confidence and composure, it’s easy to see why he’s becoming one of the breakout names of the tournament. Alexander Donchenko – Lê Quang Liêm The last match of the day to finish briefly seemed like it would actually be the first match to finish after Alexander Donchenko struck first with the black pieces. After yesterday’s tense and heartbreaking draw where one misstep in the endgame cost Alexander Donchenko immediate entry to the quarterfinals, it was interesting to see how he would perform today, in his very first tiebreak. He opted for the Grünfeld, and although Lê Quang accepted structural weaknesses in exchange for initiative, Donchenko calmly turned those doubled pawns into a winning passed pawn and closed out the game under time pressure.

Needing a win, Lê Quang played the Modern in game two and launched an ambitious kingside pawn storm. At one point, the match hung in the balance; a critical bishop sacrifice was needed to secure a draw. Donchenko, however, failed to see this vital tactical line, an error that Lê Quang immediately exploited. He seized the opportunity to equalize, forcing the match into a blitz tiebreak. The first blitz game finished quickly, even before Martinez concluded his interview! Both players, possibly tired, made a quick draw. A curious decision by Donchenko, who had the black pieces, as in all the games so far, Black was the winner! Then came a decisive game two: a sharp Nimzo-Indian that began quietly before exploding tactically.

Donchenko exploited weaknesses on the kingside and capped the attack with the stunning 31.Qg7+! A move which he called a “cheapo trick” secured him the decisive advantage after 31…Rxg7 32.fxg7 Kg8 33.Nf6+. They played on for a bit, Donchenko holding his nerves, eventually converting the win and being the final player to qualify for the quarterfinals. Eight players now remain: Arjun Erigaisi, Wei Yi, Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Yakubboev, Sam Shankland, Andrey Esipenko, José Martínez, and Alexander Donchenko. They’ve arrived here through a mix of classical wins and nail-biting tiebreaks. Tomorrow, the quarterfinals begin. With no easy matchups, no clear favourites, and the podium now within reach, we’re guaranteed to see top-level, fighting chess from every player. Stay tuned!

Game 1 of Round 6 will be played on November 17 at 3 PM local time. 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]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by WIM Charlize van Zyl (Goa, India) Photos: Eteri Kublashvili

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 17. November 2025, 20:57 Uhr

2025-11-17 FIDE World Cup: Tight starts in quarterfinals as only Yakubboev strikes   The quarterfinals have arrived at the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa, and the stakes could not be higher. Eight players remain, none of whom have qualified for the FIDE Candidates before. The field is a mix of seasoned super grandmasters and inspired underdogs, all of whom have battled tiebreaks on their journey here. Today, with no easy matchups and everyone hungry for a breakthrough, the questions were simple: Who would strike first? Who would hold their nerve? Some players opted for safety from the start: Wei Yi vs Arjun Erigaisi saw lightning-fast preparation and 99% accuracy from both sides, ending in a draw within an hour. Whereas Nodirbek Yakubboev vs Alexander Donchenko saw a chaotic game, and the only decisive one of the day.  The atmosphere was calm but charged. The ceremonial first moves, 1.Nf3 d5, were played on Board 2 (Wei Yi vs. Arjun Erigaisi) by Shri Alok Kumar, IPS, Director-General of Police of Goa, and Gourav Rakshit, Global Chess League Commissioner.

Quarterfinals Game 1 results: Javokhir Sindarov ½–½ José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara Wei Yi ½–½ Arjun Erigaisi Sam Shankland ½–½ Andrey Esipenko Nodirbek Yakubboev 1–0 Alexander Donchenko Nodirbek Yakkuboev (2689) vs Alexander Donchenko (2641) According to GM Peter Leko, this was “the game of the day,” and indeed, it could have gone in multiple directions. Nodirbek Yakubboev entered the round fresh, having not dropped a single game, but without facing a player rated above 2650. Alexander Donchenko, on the other hand, the lowest seed remaining, has been fighting giants all event, eliminating Candidates-qualifiers Anish Giri (2769) and Matthias Blübaum (2680), and surviving a nerve-wracking tiebreak against Lê Quang Liêm (2729). When asked about his choice to play the Alekhine Anti-Grünfeld setup (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3), Yakubboev said he wanted a “complicated but solid central structure.” Early on, Donchenko overoressed instead of completing development.

In this early position, the safe retreat 11…Ng7 would have been best, but Donchenko went for the aggressive 11…Qh4? Black prevented White from castling but at unacceptably high price. White’s king found a safe heaven on c2, while Black’s pieces were awkwardly misplaced.  Things went from bad to worse for Doncheko as he had no active plan, while Yakubboev gradually improved his position and secured the decisive advantage by move 20. The final blow occurred right after the time control.

The game soon turned into a technical endgame with each side down to a rook and Grebnev holding two pawns to Esipenko’s one. Esipenko, calm and prepared, navigated the position to a theoretical draw. Ironically, by move 145, both players had more time on their clocks than they did on move 50. With this match victory, Esipenko reached the deepest stage of a FIDE World Cup in his career. Harikrishna Pentala – José Martinez  This was widely expected to be the longest match of the day, especially after the first two rapid games ended in uneventful draws. Much of the chatter centered around José Martínez’s reputation as a blitz expert, regularly beating the world’s best online. That meant Harikrishna’s best chances were in the rapid phase.

In the post-game interview, Yakubboev exuded confidence, not just about qualifying for the Candidates but going all the way to win the World Cup. Tomorrow he has the black pieces and will need only a draw against the German Grandmaster to seal his spot in the semi-finals. On paper, this task seems simple enough, but the stress brought on by the World Cup can drastically alter that at any point.

Javokhir Sindarov (2721) vs José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara (2644) Jose Martinez has had an incredible World Cup run, eliminating multiple top players in his wake – Nodirbek Abdussatorov (2750), Alexey Sarana (2675), and most recently, Pentala Harikrishna (2690). His momentum has been fueled by confidence, incredible preparation, and belief that his current strength is much more than his rating suggests. I think few players in the field could match this ambition as much as his opponent today – Javokhir Sindarov, the 19-year-old Uzbek star who earned his title at the mere age of 12, and is just a handful of points away from becoming Uzbekistan’s number one – overtaking Nodirbek Abdussatorov. A difference between the two, which could influence their approach to the classical segment, is their view of the faster time controls. Martinez thrives in the adrenaline of fast-paced chess, having even recently won Chess.com’s first edition of 3+0 Thursdays. Sindarov, on the other hand, had stated in his first interview with me that blitz is not his “type of chess”.

Their first encounter featured a Queen’s Gambit Accepted line that has historically favoured White. Both players appeared to be well versed until Sindarov, playing with the white pieces, offered an early queen trade, which got Jose thinking – a rare occurrence for the Peruvian-Mexican grandmaster in the opening stage. Perhaps a sign of leaving his preparation and knowledge of the position. Despite the queenless middlegame, there was still a lot of play for both sides. Martinez, who at some point seemed more passive with the black pieces, and all pieces tied to the 6th-8th ranks, finally managed to break through with some space and simplifications. The resulting endgame saw both sides with four pawns each, white two knights and black a knight and a bishop.  Then, a critical moment arose, when Martinez, with less than two minutes on his clock played incorrectly, giving White a chance:

Here, Black has just played 33…f5, leaving the h6-pawn hanging. Sindarov however opted for 34.Ne5 – a nice-looking move if there hadn’t been a free pawn to capture (albeit at the expense of a somewhat awkward knight trapped on the rim after 34.Nxh6 Bc8 35.g4 Kf8 36.b6 Kg7 37.g5). A few moves later, the game was drawn. Wei Yi (2752) vs Arjun Erigaisi (2773) The heavyweight clash of the round featured two of the tournament favorites, both world-class talents with an eye on qualification. The downside: only one will progress. Both players arrived early at the board and looked relaxed. Their game followed a solid line of Closed Ruy López. Erigaisi, playing Black, blitzed out every single move and finished the entire game with more time on his clock than when he started – clear evidence of deep preparation. Both players showed perfect control: 99% accuracy, zero mistakes or inaccuracies, and a draw by repetition on move 31.

A quiet start, but as the commentators noted, this match has all the ingredients for a fierce fight in Game 2. Sam Shankland (2654) vs Andrey Esipenko (2693) Between them, these players have appeared in ten World Cups. Both had their best runs in 2021: Shankland reached the quarterfinals before losing to Karjakin, while Esipenko made it to Round 5, falling to Carlsen. That shared history of near-breakthrough makes this matchup especially compelling. The exchange variation in the Queen’s Gambit Declined set the tone for a positional affair, following a game between none other than Magnus Carlsen and Ian Neponmiachtchi (2021) until Shankland veered them off the path on move 10. What followed was a balanced game in a Carlsbad pawn structure with practical play and manoeuvring from both sides. There was potential for sharpness, with Black pushing on the kingside and White on the queenside, but after some piece trades the tension dissolved. With no clear breakthroughs left, the players agreed to a draw in a dry four-rook endgame.

Game 2 of Round 6 will be played on November 18 at 3 PM local time. 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]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by WIM Charlize van Zyl (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 18. November 2025, 21:05 Uhr

2025-11-18 FIDE World Cup: Three quarterfinals poised for decisive tiebreak battles   The tension was evident as players entered into the playing hall today,  several arriving just minutes before the clocks were started, a sure sign of the pressure mounting at this decisive stage of the World Cup. The air in the playing hall was quiet and concentrated, yet packed with spectators eager to witness the eight remaining players in action. With only four spots in the semifinals, chess fans were treated to a blend of high-stakes precision and tightly controlled risk. The outcome was draws across all boards, meaning tiebreaks in three of them, and GM Nodirbek Yakkuboev advancing as the first semi-finalist after his victory over Alexander Donchenko yesterday. Before play began, the ceremonial first move was made by Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur, former Sports Minister of India, Member of Parliament, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal and Mines on Board 2, for Erigaisi vs. Wei Yi.

Quarterfinals Game 2 results: José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara ½-½  Javokhir Sindarov Arjun Erigaisi ½-½  Wei Yi  Andrey Esipenko ½-½  Sam Shankland  Alexander Donchenko ½-½  Nodirbek Yakubboev With the semifinal lineup still very much undecided, here’s a closer look at how each game unfolded today. Nodirbek Yakkuboev (2689) vs Alexander Donchenko (2641)

Alexander Donchenko had a great deal at stake today. After fighting hard to survive the Round 5 tiebreaks, his classical loss yesterday left him in a must-win situation. He certainly tried, pushing until the very end, creating an imbalanced structure that forced Yakubboev to stay alert. The game followed the Exchange Variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined, and Donchenko appeared well-prepared, gaining a 30-minute time advantage early on. However, despite his confident opening, his pace slowed and a series of imprecise choices led to a position where his winning chances faded.

Black has just played the thematic 21…Bb1, aiming for a Ba2–c4 maneuver. While White has no obvious plan here, Donchenko chose one of the weakest options with 22.f3?, a move our commentators called “strange” as it gave Black easy counterplay. Yakkuboev responded with 22…f5 and followed through with his intended bishop maneuver, fully seizing the initiative. The critical moment came soon:

White’s pieces were poorly coordinated, and the pawns on the third rank were vulnerable. Here, the powerful 26…Re8 could have posed major problems for White, especially with the threat of …Nb5 looming. If White tries passive defense with 27.Re1 Black builds up pressure with 27…Rb5 28.Rc2 Rb3. For instance, the natural-looking 29.Ng2 to guard the e-pawn is met by 29…Bd3 30.Rf2 (or 30.Rc3, also losing) 30…Bxb1 31.Rxb1 Nc4, leaving Black in full control. Instead, Yakkuboev started with 26…Rb5, allowing 27.Rg2. Though Donchenko escaped immediate danger, Black still held a comfortable edge. After further exchanges, the game entered a tense endgame where White appeared to retain some chances. However, Yakkuboev maintained accuracy and steered the game to a dead-even draw. With this result, he became the first player to qualify for the semifinals of the 2025 World Cup. Wei Yi (2752) vs Arjun Erigaisi (2773) As the only remaining Indian player in the field, Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi carries significant expectations. Yet he has remained composed throughout the event, arriving calm at the board each day and greeting enthusiastic fans waiting (and chanting his name) outside.

After a quick draw yesterday, today’s strategy was different – with the White pieces, Arjun prepared a fresh idea in the Queen’s Gambit Declined. Wei Yi, however, played confidently and quickly as well. The game soon left known theory and entered territory in which both players could just play chess. Tension started when Wei Yi chose to complicate with 18…c5, accepting an isolated queen’s pawn but gaining activity. The position suddenly became sharp:

Arjun played the quiet-looking 20.Qe2 instead of the more natural 20.Qb1. Commentators GMs Jan Gustafsson and Peter Leko praised it as “strong and unexpected,” as it unpins the queen while provocatively placing it opposite Black’s rook and hinting at Na4 ideas. It posed psychological pressure. Wei Yi spent over 30 minutes here, visibly unsettled and shifting in his chair, before deciding on 20…Qc6. After 21.Nd2, however, Black 21…Nd7? (21…Nh5 was the better choice – we will get into that mess later, so bear with me if you want to get into deep analysis) allowing a tactical sequence: 22.Nb3 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Rxc3

Here Arjun had a golden opportunity – 24.Bxd5! and after 24…Qc8 25.Rxc3 Qxc3 White simply captures a free pawn with 26.Bxb7. Black also can choose 24…Qxd5 – and here is why the earlier mistake of 21…Nd7 matters. 25.Rxc3 Ng5 26.e4 (only move to keep the advantage and stop …Nf3), 26…Rxe4 27.Rd1! And the d7-knight is ill-placed and hanging.  Instead, Erigaisi played 24.Qd2? and after 24…Rxc1 25.Rxc1 Qa6 26.Bxd5 Nf6! Wei Yi equalized and the game was drawn on move 32. Now let’s go back to the better 21…Nh5 which makes the difference. Now 22.Nb3 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Rxc3 24.Bxd5 does not hold the same venom after 24…Qxd5 25.Rxc3 Ng5 26.e4 Rxe4 and Black’s pieces, particularly the knights, are very active. The same idea we saw in the previous line of 27.Rd1 is a big blunder because of the desperado 27…Qxb3! And suddenly Black would be winning. This tactic would not be the same with the knight on d7. All of this analysis just goes to show how small nuances of a position can affect the evaluation but only surface moves later, and it’s curious to know whether all of this was seen. After intense days like these, we don’t corner the players for interviews, but after tomorrow I will definitely find out from the match’s victor how much was calculated here. Javokhir Sindarov (2721) vs José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara (2644) The draw between Sindarov and Martínez was the most curious result of the day, not for the score, but for how swiftly it was achieved. The players entered a known drawing line in the Four Knights Spanish and followed the theory to a peaceful result in just 20 minutes.

For Martínez, who had the White pieces and momentum from previous rounds, it was an unexpectedly conservative approach. But strategic choices like this can be understood –  conserving energy, maintaining focus, and preparing for potential tiebreaks are all part of the long World Cup journey. Sam Shankland (2654) vs Andrey Esipenko (2693) This matchup was intriguing from the outset, due to Shankland’s opening choice with Black: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 d6 a clever move order that sidestepped Esipenko’s preparation and secured a solid foundation. Esipenko appeared frustrated by his inability to pose challenges. Though his pieces were well-coordinated, no breakthrough was in sight. The evaluation bar stayed balanced, and after a series of logical exchanges, the players agreed to a draw on move 32.

Both players have strong tiebreak credentials; Esipenko defeated pre-tournament favorite Vincent Keymer in Round 4, while Shankland eliminated Vidit Gujrathi, Richard Rapport, and most recently Daniil Dubov. If this match heads to rapid and blitz, it promises to be one of the most competitive encounters of the round. With all four games ending in draws today, the tension only rises as we head into the tiebreaks. Three semifinal spots are still up for grabs, and with these players evenly matched and deeply battle-tested, the next phase promises to be intense. Expect a day of exciting chess and tight nerves as everything comes down to the faster formats. One thing is certain: tomorrow will deliver high drama over the board. Quarterfinal tiebreaks will be played on November 19, starting at 3 PM local time. 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]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by WIM Charlize van Zyl (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 21. November 2025, 19:20 Uhr

2025-11-21 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. Tomorrow Sindarov will have the White pieces, and it will be interesting to see what he has in store.

The players return on Saturday, 22 November, for the second classical game of the semifinals. Which of these four will be favoured by Caissa next? We are about to find out. 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]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by WIM Charlize van Zyl (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 24. November 2025, 21:37 Uhr

2025-11-24 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 Vishwanathan 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 see what opening ideas they bring to the board! 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]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by WIM Charlize van Zyl (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 25. November 2025, 21:29 Uhr

2025-11-25 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 Results Round 2: beat GM Kacper Piorun 2–0 (classical) Round 3: beat GM Benjamin Gledura in rapid tiebreaks Round 4: beat GM Parham Maghsoodloo in the final blitz games Round 5: beat GM Samuel Sevian 1.5–0.5 (classical) Quarterfinals: beat GM Arjun Erigaisi in the fourth rapid game Semifinals: 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 final Round 2: beat GM Nikita Petrov 1.5–0.5 Round 3: beat GM Nikolas Theodorou 1.5–0.5 Round 4: beat GM Yu Yangyi in rapid tiebreaks Round 5: beat GM Frederik Svane 1.5–0.5 Quarterfinals: beat GM José Martínez in a six-game classic–rapid–blitz marathon Semifinals: 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 Vishwanathan 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]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by WIM Charlize van Zyl (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza