FIDE World Cup Quarterfinals: Only Yakubboev Scores as Others Settle for Draws
The quarterfinals of the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa began with high pressure and big dreams. Eight players remained, and none have ever qualified for the FIDE Candidates before. Some are experienced grandmasters, while others are young fighters determined to make history.
With no easy pairings and everyone hungry to strike first, the big questions were clear: Who would win Game 1? Who would stay calm under pressure?
Draws Everywhere… Except One
Most players chose a safe start. On Board 2, Wei Yi and Arjun Erigaisi showed deep preparation, playing with 99% accuracy and drawing their game in less than an hour.
The only decisive result came from Nodirbek Yakubboev vs Alexander Donchenko, in what many called the game of the day.
The ceremonial first move (1.Nf3 d5) was played by Shri Alok Kumar, IPS, and Gourav Rakshit, showing how special the event has become in Goa.
Quarterfinals Game 1 Results
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Javokhir Sindarov vs José Martínez Alcántara | ½–½ |
| Wei Yi vs Arjun Erigaisi | ½–½ |
| Sam Shankland vs Andrey Esipenko | ½–½ |
| Nodirbek Yakubboev vs Alexander Donchenko | 1–0 |
Yakubboev’s Confident Victory Over Donchenko
GM Peter Leko called it “the game of the day.”
Yakubboev came in undefeated, but critics said he hadn’t faced the toughest opposition yet. Donchenko, on the other hand—the lowest-rated player remaining—has already knocked out big names like Anish Giri and Matthias Blübaum, and survived a tense tiebreak against Lê Quang Liêm.
Yakubboev surprised with the Alekhine Anti-Grünfeld setup (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3). Donchenko responded aggressively, but overpressed too early instead of developing quietly.
A key mistake came with 11…Qh4?. Black prevented castling but paid a heavy price, and his pieces became completely stuck. Yakubboev slowly improved every move and took full control by move 20.
The final attack was clean and powerful:
42.Qb8+ Re8 43.Rg8+ Kxg8 44.Qxe8+ — and Black resigned.
After the game, Yakubboev looked confident and said he’s not thinking only about qualifying for the Candidates — he wants to win the entire World Cup. With Black tomorrow, he needs only a draw to reach the semifinals, but World Cup nerves can change everything in a second.
Sindarov vs. Martínez: Missed Chance in a Sharp Endgame
Martínez has been the tournament’s giant killer — eliminating Abdusattorov, Sarana, and Harikrishna. He plays fearless chess, especially in fast formats. Sindarov, however, prefers classical chess and is close to becoming Uzbekistan’s number one.
Their game followed a sharp line in the Queen’s Gambit Accepted. Sindarov traded queens early, pushing Martínez into unfamiliar territory. A complex endgame arose, and when Martínez got low on time, he made a key mistake with 33…f5, leaving his h6-pawn undefended.
Sindarov could have taken it, but instead played 34.Ne5, missing a real winning chance. The game later simplified into a draw.
Heavyweight Battle: Wei Yi vs Arjun Erigaisi Ends in Perfect Draw
This match features two tournament favorites, and only one can qualify. Their first game was a masterclass in preparation. Arjun played every move instantly and even ended the game with more time than he started with.
Both finished with near-perfect accuracy: 99%, leading to a draw by repetition. The real fight is expected tomorrow.
Shankland vs Esipenko: Solid Strategy, No Breakthrough
Both players know World Cup pressure well. Their matchup followed a positional Queen’s Gambit Declined, inspired by a famous Carlsen vs. Nepomniachtchi game.
A tense Carlsbad structure appeared, but after a series of trades, the position dried up into a four-rook endgame and the players agreed to a draw.
What’s Next? Game 2 Awaits
Game 2 of the quarterfinals will be played on November 18 at 3 PM (local time).
Fans can watch the live action on the FIDE YouTube Channel, with commentary by GMs Jan Gustafsson and Peter Leko.
The battle continues. Will Yakubboev finish the job? Will someone strike back with a surprise win? Stay tuned!
Photos: Michal Walusza, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
