FIDE World Cup: Sindarov & Wei Yi Reach the Final After Dramatic Tiebreaks
The semifinals of the FIDE World Cup delivered drama, speed, and heartbreak. Both matches finished quickly in the rapid tiebreaks (15+10), but the action was intense from start to finish. By the end of the day, we had our finalists: Javokhir Sindarov and Wei Yi, both now one step away from lifting the World Cup trophy and earning a spot in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament.
🏆 Sindarov vs Yakubboev: Uzbekistan’s Young Stars Clash
The all-Uzbek battle between Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Yakubboev was packed with strategy, pressure, and brilliant play.
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In Game 1, Sindarov used deep preparation to take control in a Semi-Slav endgame.
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His active knight and stronger pawn structure created two connected passed pawns.
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With no saving chances left, Yakubboev resigned.
The second rapid game moved into a sharp Sicilian Najdorf, with both sides attacking fearlessly. Yakubboev fought back and even reached a better position at one point. However:
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A key mistake (26…Kc8?) changed the evaluation.
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Sindarov didn’t convert perfectly, but a final liquidation to a draw was enough.
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He advanced to the final and the 2026 Candidates.
Sindarov celebrated the victory but showed great sportsmanship, saying he felt sad for his teammate. His family has been supporting him in Goa, even bringing Uzbek food to keep him motivated — and it seems to be working! 🇺🇿💪
🔥 Wei Yi vs Esipenko: A Blunder Ends a Rollercoaster
Across the hall, Wei Yi and Andrey Esipenko played a thrilling match filled with twists and heartbreak.
Game 1 repeated a line of the Petroff Defense, where Wei Yi as Black gained winning chances. However, a missed shot (33…Bd6) allowed Esipenko to escape with a draw.
In Game 2, the position looked balanced for a long time. Then:
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Esipenko gained the advantage by the endgame.
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A single inaccurate move began to flip the evaluation again.
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Both players were in massive time trouble.
The decisive moment came with 55.Rh7??, a move that opened the door for Wei Yi. Seconds later, Esipenko blundered again and resigned after 57.Nxg2. A painful finish to an otherwise great tournament for him.
Wei Yi admitted after the game that luck played a role, highlighting how fatigue impacts even world-class players in tiebreaks.
🧠 Final Battles Set for Tomorrow
With both semifinal matches concluded, here’s what’s next:
🔹 Final: Javokhir Sindarov vs Wei Yi
🔹 3rd-place match (Candidates qualification): Nodirbek Yakubboev vs Andrey Esipenko
The third-place battle is especially crucial — only one more spot remains for the 2026 FIDE Candidates. Expect intense fights, nerves, and unforgettable chess.
You can watch all the games live with expert commentary from GMs Peter Leko and Jan Gustafsson on the official FIDE YouTube channel.
📌 Semifinal Tiebreak Results
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Wei Yi 1½ – ½ Andrey Esipenko
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Javokhir Sindarov 1½ – ½ Nodirbek Yakubboev
🏁 Final Thoughts
The speed of play did not reduce the drama. In just a few hours, we witnessed brilliant preparation, deep endgames, wild attacks, and heartbreaking blunders. The FIDE World Cup is now down to its final stage — and the pressure has never been higher.
Tomorrow, history awaits. ♟🔥
Photos: Michal Walusza, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
