Abdusattorov leads @ 2nd Uzchess Cup
Uzbek star GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (2.5) moved into sole lead defeating Hungarian GM Richard Rapport in the third round of the 2nd Uzchess Cup at Tashkent. Rest of the games featuring Yakubboev – Praggnanandhaa, Maghsoodloo – Chithambaram, Nepomniachtchi – Erigaisi and Vokhidov – Sindarov ended in draws. Sharing the second spot with 2.0 points were GMs Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi and Sindarov respectively.
The Abdusattorov – Rapport encounter witnessed the Sicilian Sozin Attack where heavy trade-offs took place right out of the opening. By the 20th move the game had moved into double rook and minor piece ending. A few moves later, both the rooks were out of play, taking the game into a bishop vs knight ending. Black’s centre pawn weakness and white’s slightly advanced king gave Abdusattorov a small edge. But, vastly experienced Rapport who might have held this position on most occasions, slipped in the home run with 38…a5??, when 38…b4 was forced. The movement of the wrong pawn gave the former world rapid champion Abdusattorov a significant advantage which he drove home to victory.
GM Vokhidov Shamsiddin pulled joint leader GM Sindarov Javokhir to a draw by repetition, stemming his defeat in the first two rounds. The 4th round starts at 3 PM local time, 3:30 PM IST on Sunday 22st June, 2025.
(Round 3 Results): Yakubboev Nodirbek (1.5) drew with Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (2.0), Maghsoodloo Parham (1.5) drew with Aravindh Chithambaram V R (1.0), Nepomniachtchi Ian (1.0) drew with Erigaisi Arjun (2.0), Abdusattorov Nodirbek (2.5) beat Rapport Richard (1.0), Vokhidov Shamsiddin (0.5) drew with Sindarov Javokhir (2.0)
Abdusattorov Nodirbek (2767) – Rapport Richard (2714) 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Be3 a6 8. Bb3 Na5 9. f4 Qc7 10. g4 d5 11. exd5 Bb4 12. dxe6 Nxb3 13. cxb3 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Qxc3+ 15. Kf2 Bxe6 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Rc1 Qb2+ 18. Kf3 Rd8 19. Qc2 Qxc2 20. Rxc2 Nd5 21. Re1 O-O 22. h4 Rc8 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Bd4 Kf7 25. Re5 Ne7 26. Rc5 Rxc5 27. Bxc5 Nc6 28. Ke4 g6 29. Bb6 h5 30. gxh5 gxh5 31. f5 Ne7 32. fxe6+ Kxe6 33. Bf2 Nd5 34. Be1 b6 35. Bd2 b5 36. Ba5 Ne7 37. Kf4 Nc6 38. Bc3 a5?? (38…b4! is the saving move here)
39. Kg5 a4 40. b4 Ne7 41. Kxh5 Nd5 42. Bd2 Kf5 43. a3 Nb6 44. Kh6 Nc4 45. Bc3 Nxa3 46. h5 Nb1 47. Ba1 Nd2 48. Kg7 Ne4 49. h6 Ng5 50. Bb2 Ne6+ 51. Kg8 Ng5 52. Bc1 a3 53. Bxg5 a2 54. Bf6 1-0
Picture Courtesy : Official Telegram page
