FIDE World Cup: Arjun Out in Tiebreaks as Wei Yi, Esipenko, Sindarov Join Yakkuboev in Semifinals
It was a tense day at the FIDE World Cup. Four players were still fighting for the last three semifinal spots, and every move could change a career. With rapid and blitz deciding the results, the hall was packed and silent with pressure. In the end, Wei Yi, Javokhir Sindarov, and Andrey Esipenko advanced, joining Nodirbek Yakkuboev, who had qualified earlier.
But for Indian chess fans, the day brought heartbreak. Arjun Erigaisi — the last Indian player left — was eliminated by Wei Yi.
Before the games began, the ceremonial first move was made by Mr. Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India.
Arjun Erigaisi vs Wei Yi (½–1½)
Wei Yi came prepared for revenge after missing chances in the previous classical game. He arrived early, calm, confident, and fully focused.
With the White pieces in the French Defense (Steinitz Variation), he pushed aggressively on the kingside. Arjun spent precious time and played the wrong move, letting Wei Yi take control. Although Arjun later defended brilliantly and saved the first game, the pressure kept building.
The second game, a Petroff Defense, looked balanced. Arjun gained space but lost control due to a small mistake in a rook-and-bishop endgame. Wei Yi took the chance, created a passed pawn, and converted the position with perfect technique. After a long fight, Arjun was defeated and knocked out of the World Cup.
After the match, Wei Yi remained humble. He said Arjun is too strong to consider anyone a clear favorite in rapid chess. Wei Yi, the highest-rated player still in the event, now sets his sights on the semifinals.
Sindarov vs Martínez Alcántara (1½–2½)
The match began with a surprise: Martínez opened with 1.b3! Sindarov looked uncomfortable, and things soon turned worse. One mistake with his rook cost him the game, and Martínez delivered a powerful finish.
Now needing a win to stay in the event, Sindarov regrouped. In the second game, he played fearlessly, handled the attack with patience, and scored a strong victory to level the match.
The rapid tiebreaks were intense. In the final decisive game, both players reached an equal endgame. Then a blunder changed everything — Sindarov found the right plan, promoted his pawn, and forced resignation.
Sindarov later shared how emotional the match had been. With his victory, Uzbekistan will once again have a player in the FIDE Candidates after 20 years.
He now faces his teammate Nodirbek Yakkuboev, meaning one Uzbek player is guaranteed to reach the World Cup Final.
Sam Shankland vs Andrey Esipenko (1–3)
Esipenko began the match with a new idea in the Queen’s Gambit Declined. The game turned into a deep positional battle, where Shankland slowly lost control. Esipenko finished the game with style, earning the first win.
But Shankland showed fighting spirit. In the next game, he struck back in the Caro-Kann and leveled the score.
The rapid games then decided everything. Esipenko remained relaxed and confident, avoiding pressure and keeping things practical. A poor king move by Shankland cost him dearly, and Esipenko capitalized instantly.
In the must-win final game, Shankland chose a passive setup. Esipenko simply improved his pieces and took over the position step by step. With no counterplay left for Shankland, Esipenko won clinically and secured his semifinal spot.
Four Players Remain
From 206 players, only four heroes are left:
-
Wei Yi
-
Nodirbek Yakkuboev
-
Andrey Esipenko
-
Javokhir Sindarov
Only three of them will qualify for the FIDE Candidates Tournament.
Tomorrow is a rest day. The semifinals begin on November 21 at 3 PM local time, live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, with commentary by GMs Jan Gustafsson and Peter Leko.
Photos: Michal Walusza, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
