Wei Yi escapes, Yakubboev in semis @ Goa

GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzbekistan) became the first player to enter the semi-finals eliminating GM Alexander Donchenko (Germany) 1.5-0.5 after the second classical game of the 6th round (quarter-finals) at $ 2 million FIDE World Cup at Hotel Resort Rio, Goa. The game between GMs José Martínez Alcántara and Javokhir Sindarov promised much but ended in a quick draw. Also ending in peace was the duel between GMs Andrey Esipenko and Sam Shankland. All those players whose scores remain tied 1-1 after two classical games will now go on to play tie-breaks consisting of rapid & blitz games for a place in the semi-final.

The result of the Queen’s Gambit Declined Exchange Variation game between GMs Alexander Donchenko and Nodirbek Yakubboev was a heart-breaker for the German. Needing only a draw to progress further, the Uzbek took little or no risk to achieve his goal. GM Donchenko was unable to make a headway as periodical trade-offs led the game into a drawish rook ending. Despite his best efforts the German could get no more than half a point as the game concluded after five hours & 57 moves.

The ceremonial first move for the day was made by Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur, former Minister of Sports Govt. of India, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal and Mines on the Board 2 game between GMs Erigaisi Arjun and Wei Yi, which incidentally ended in a draw.

Elsewhere, GM Erigaisi Arjun missed a half-chance (24. Bxd5!) to defeat Chinese GM Wei Yi before settling for a draw. GM Erigaisi got to face the Queen’s Gambit Declined variation, known for its solidity, from GM Wei Yi. A sober start displayed the safety intentions of both even as the duel inched its way up into the middle game. Just when things looked steady, a small slip from the Chinese offered the Indian an opportunity to go for the initiative. But the possibility of two black knights and queen which can pose dangerous attacks on the half open white square diagonal forced GM Erigaisi to call it a day sans aggression. It will be a do-or-die situation for the Indian and the Chinese Grandmasters with both carrying the hopes of a billion hearts behind them.

Of the 206 who started a fortnight back only 7 remain, with GM Nodirbek Yakubboev already into the last four and the other six playing the tie-breaks today. That only two of the world top ten remain, goes to show the intensity and the vagaries of the knock-out system, that offers everyone some paycheck to take home.

In addition to the big share of $ 2 million prize money, the winner along with second and third placed players qualify for the FIDE Candidates tournament scheduled for March 2026 in Cyprus. In honor of Indian legend & five time world champion Vishy Anand, FIDE shall be awarding the World Cup Goa winner with the “Viswanathan Anand Cup”.

The 6th round Quarter-finals tie-break games starts by Wednesday, 19th November at 4:30 AM ET / 10:30 AM CET / 3:00 PM IST.

Quarter-final tie-break duels:  José Martínez Alcántara vs Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi vs Erigaisi Arjun, Sam Shankland vs Andrey Esipenko.

Results: (Round 6 Game 2): José Martínez Alcántara drew with Javokhir Sindarov 1-1, Erigaisi Arjun drew with Wei Yi 1-1, Alexander Donchenko lost to Nodirbek Yakubboev 0.5-1.5, Andrey Esipenko drew with Sam Shankland 1-1.

Erigaisi Arjun (2769) – Wei Yi (2752) 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 c6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. Nh4 Nh5 8. Nxf5 Nxf4 9. g3 Ne6 10. e3 Nd7 11. Qb3 Qb6 12. Qc2 g6 13. Nh4 Bg7 14. Bg2 O-O 15. O-O Rfe8 16. Nf3 Rac8 17. Rfe1 Nf6 18. Rac1 c5 19. dxc5 Rxc5 20. Qe2 Qc6 21. Nd2 Nd7 22. Nb3 Bxc3 23. bxc3 Rxc3 24. Qd2? (GM Erigaisi misses an opportunity 24. Bxd5!)

24…Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Qa6 26. Bxd5 Nf6 27. Bg2 Rd8 28. Qb2 Ne8 29. Nd2 Qe2 30. Rc2 Qd1+ 31. Nf1 b6

32. Rd2 1/2-1/2

Complete Results

Photos Courtesy: Michal Walusza / Eteri Kublashvili / FIDE (International Chess Federation)

Official Site: https://worldcup2025.fide.com/