2nd UzChess Cup Round 6: Six-Hour Nodirbek Battle Ends in Drama, Arjun Joins Lead

Round 6 of the 2nd UzChess Cup Masters 2025 delivered high drama, intense games, and major shifts in the leaderboard. The spotlight was on the epic six-hour marathon between Uzbekistan’s two best — Nodirbek Yakubboev and Nodirbek Abdusattorov — where the defending champion Yakubboev emerged victorious after a grueling 130+ move game.

Rapport Strikes Back with Style

Richard Rapport bounced back from his Round 5 loss by defeating R Praggnanandhaa in brilliant fashion. True to his creative flair, he sacrificed a knight early and followed up with a stunning bishop sacrifice (23…Bc2!) to completely dismantle Praggnanandhaa’s defenses.

Rapport now leads their classical head-to-head 3-0.

Game of the Day: Yakubboev vs Abdusattorov

The battle of the Nodirbeks had everything — deep preparation, relentless pressure, and ultimate heartbreak. Abdusattorov defended tenaciously despite a tough position but made a decisive blunder in the endgame. After 130+ moves, Yakubboev forced a win with clinical endgame play in a rook and bishop vs rook endgame.

This was their 14th classical encounter, and the lifetime score remains tied 6.5-6.5.

Other Key Games

• Arjun vs Sindarov: Solid draw. Arjun stays unbeaten and co-leads.

• Aravindh vs Vokhidov: First-ever meeting ends in a draw after perpetual checks.

• Parham vs Nepomniachtchi: Calm draw between two heavyweights. Parham remains unbeaten.

GM Nikolas Theodorou (GRE) defeated GM Vakhidov to take the sole lead (5/6), thanks in part to GM Vasyl Ivanchuk’s (UKR) win over GM Andrew Hong (USA). The final rounds will be crucial with multiple contenders still in the hunt.

Futures: Nigmatov Pulls Ahead

GM Ortik Nigmatov (UZB) scored the only win of the round in the Futures section and increased his lead to a full point with 4.5/6. His endgame precision against GM Alan Pichot (ESP) continues to impress.

Masters Standings after Round 6

Replay Live stream of UzChess Cup Round 6

Time Control & Prizes

• Masters: 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 mins for the rest, with 30s increment from move 1.

• Prize fund: $121,500 total. Masters ($80,000), Challengers ($25,000), Futures ($11,500), Open ($5,000)

Coming Up: Round 7 Pairings (Masters)

• Nepomniachtchi vs Praggnanandhaa

• Abdusattorov vs Maghsoodloo

• Vokhidov vs Yakubboev

• Sindarov vs Aravindh

• Rapport vs Arjun

Start Time: 3:00 p.m. local (3:30 p.m. IST)
Stay tuned — the final three rounds are guaranteed to be thrilling!

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Photos: Shahid Ahmed, UzChess Cup
Source: CHESSBASE

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