Both semis head for tie-breaks @ Goa
Huge stakes directed the minds of the GM quartet who played it safe after the second classical semi-final game in the $ 2 million FIDE World Cup at Hotel Resort Rio, Goa. GM Nodirbek Yakubboev settled for a quick draw against fellow Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov, while the GMs Wei Yi vs Andrey Esipenko encounter stretched a little further before a draw was agreed.
Caution is the watchword, since this is a once in a life-time chance, for all the four Grandmasters who can make their dreams come true. One slip and a possible $ 120,000 paycheck could get reduced to $ 50,000 could also be the reason for the risk free play in the classical section. But then, tie-breaks aren’t too far away and the first two to land the Candidates spot will be identified before the next sunset.
Early to finish was a quiet Four Knights game between GMs Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Yakubboev that concluded after 31 moves. It turned out to be a game where neither player was willing to risk, looking set for the rapid & blitz tie-breaks. The Uzbeks definitely need to break the ice now, as only one can go beyond the semi-finals, though both could still make it to the Candidates.
Earlier, Mr. Sanjay Dhivre, IRS (Indian Revenue Service), Additional Commissioner of Income Tax made the ceremonial first move in the GM Andrey Esipenko vs GM Wei Yi game, while Mrs. Bhagyahree Dhivare, IAS (Indian Administrative Service), CEO of the Election Commission Nagaland made the first move on the other board.
The game between GMs Andrey Esipenko and Wei Yi took a little longer to come up with a result, which also turned out to be a regular Petroff draw. The younger Esipenko who possibly missed a chance in the first classical game, appeared set to push the Chinese hard. But known for tact and resilience the former Asian Champion wriggled out for the second time, emerging unscathed. GM Wei Yi has mastered the psychology of survival as we found in his earlier World Cup games and will be a handful in tie-breaks. GM Esipenko, the Qatar Masters 2024 champion, who’s here with his second GM David Paravyan will be fully prepared for the battle. Also, the result of this match-up could bring about the lone Russian or Chinese representation in the Candidates 2026.
Speed is the era that we live and speed it shall be that will decide who would lock horns a day later for the Viswanathan Anand Cup. The last four players left have everything to fight for viz., prize money and a spot in the Candidates for the top three. The month-long FIDE World Cup, a lead-up to the next World Championship cycle, concludes on 26th November, 2025.
The tie-break games of the 7th round (Semi-final) starts by Sunday, 23rd November at 4:30 AM ET / 10:30 AM CET / 3:00 PM IST.
Complete Results (Semi-finals): Nodirbek Yakubboev drew with Javokhir Sindarov 1-1, Wei Yi drew with Andrey Esipenko 1-1.
Javokhir Sindarov (2721) – Nodirbek Yakubboev (2689) 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6 Qxf6 8. dxc3 Bc5 9. O-O c6 10. Qh5 d6 11. Bd3 h6 12. Be3 g6 13. Qe2 Bxe3 14. Qxe3+ Kf8 15. Qd4 Kg7 16. Rfe1 Qxd4 17. cxd4 Bd7 18. f3 Rhe8 19. Kf2 Rxe1 20. Rxe1 Re8 21. Rxe8 Bxe8 22. Ke3 f5 23. f4 Kf6 24. h4 h5 25. g3 Ke7 26. c3 Bf7 27. a3 Kd7 28. Kd2 b5 29. b4 d5 30. Kc2 Kc7
31. Kb3 1/2-1/2
Andrey Esipenko (2681) – Wei Yi (2752) 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. Qd2 Be6 9. O-O-O Qd7 10. Be2 O-O-O 11. Ng5 Bxg5 12. Bxg5 f6 13. Be3 h5 14. b3 Qf7 15. Bb5 Bd7 16. Rhe1 Rhe8 17. Kb2 a6 18. Bf1 h4 19. h3 Be6 20. f3 g5 21. Bf2 Bf5 22. Rc1 Qg6 23. a4 Re5 24. Re2 Rde8 25. Rce1 R8e7 26. Bg1 Qe8 27. Bh2 Rxe2 28. Rxe2 Rxe2 29. Bxe2 Qe6 30. Bc4 Qe8 31. Be2 Qe6 32. Bg1 Kd7 33. Be3 Ne5 34. Qd4 Nc6 35. Qd2 Ne5 36. Qd4 Nc6
37. Qd2 1/2-1/2
Complete Results
Photos Courtesy: Michal Walusza / Eteri Kublashvili / FIDE (International Chess Federation)
Official Site: https://worldcup2025.fide.com/
