2025 Uzbekistan Chess Championship: Yakubboev and Omonova Crowned Champions
The 2025 Uzbekistan Chess Championship has come to a close with two new national champions.
GM Nodirbek Yakubboev won the Open Section, while WIM Umida Omonova triumphed in the Women’s Section.
The event was held from April 18 to 28 at the International Chess School in the Kyzyltepa district, Navoi region. The tournament featured 16-player knockout formats in both sections, using classical time control. A total prize fund of $66,000 was up for grabs.
Yakubboev Dominates the Open Section
Top seed Nodirbek Yakubboev (2665) performed strongly.
He defeated Azizbek Kuvvatov, Khumoyun Begmuratov (in rapid tiebreaks), and Mukhiddin Madaminov to reach the final.
In the lower half of the bracket, there was a big surprise.
Second seed GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (2648) was knocked out in the quarterfinals by IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov.
Suyarov then lost to Ortik Nigmatov in the semifinals.
In the final, Yakubboev and Nigmatov drew the first game.
But Yakubboev won the second game with the white pieces to claim the title.
In the third-place match, Suyarov beat Madaminov after a long tiebreak battle.
Umida Omonova Shocks the Women’s Field
The 2025 Women’s Championship had its own drama.
Top seed Afruza Khamdamova (2326) was upset by Nodira Nadirjanova, who had a rating nearly 200 Elo points lower, in the semifinals.
On the other side, Umida Omonova had a strong run.
She beat Makhim Orazmukhammedova, Nilufarkhon Imomkuzieva, and Marjona Malikova to reach the final.
In the championship match, Omonova took the lead by winning the first game with black.
She had a winning position in the second game but chose a draw, which was enough to win the title.
For third place, Khamdamova defeated Malikova and took the bronze medal.
Full results and photos are available via the Uzbekistan Chess Federation.
Photos: Uzbekistan Chess Federation, FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
