Yakubboev downs Donchenko, closer to semis @ Goa
GM Yakubboev Nodirbek (Uzbekistan) took one step closer to the semi-finals defeating GM Alexander Donchenko (Germany) in the first classical game of the 6th round (quarter-finals) at $ 2 million FIDE World Cup at Hotel Resort Rio, Goa. The game between GMs Javokhir Sindarov and José Martínez Alcántara promised much but ended in a draw. Also ending in peace was the duel between GMs Sam Shankland and Andrey Esipenko. Elsewhere, GM Erigaisi Arjun, sitting behind black pieces, kept up the Indian hopes holding Chinese GM Wei Yi to a comfortable draw. A win against the same opponent with reversed colors would see these GMs, who drew their first classical game, through to the semi-finals for the Viswanathan Anand Cup.
GMs Wei Yi & Erigaisi Arjun went through a quiet Ruy Lopez that appeared heading for a draw right out of the opening. Showing preparation bordering excellence, the precocious Indian star drew the Chinese GM effortlessly. At no point of time Erigaisi was in any danger and surprisingly ended the match with more time on his clock than what he had at the start of the game. In the reverse game, Wei Yi needs to address & worry about is Erigaisi’s speed, which can put one under enormous pressure. In the only World Cup pairing that has lived up to its rating, the Erigaisi – Wei Yi game will be a do-or-die encounter for both and a heart-break for one of them.
In the game of the day, Qatar Masters 2023 winner Yakubboev plotted and executed a crucial win in a masterly fashion against German GM Alexander Donchenko. The Anti-Grünfeld set up inviting aggression from the start worked perfectly for the Uzbek master. For, GM Donchenko inadvertently got sucked into a false attacking premise that brought him down. Into the middle game black further found itself into all knots with white have all the space and development. Trying to break out of the shackles Donchenko played more into Yakubboev’s game plan. Losing a piece for two advanced pawns added to the agony and black resigned 10 moves later on the 44th turn. Hats-off to Yakubboev for his home preparation and impeccable delivery. The Uzbek GM is now just a draw away from stepping into the semi-final, while Donchenko will have to win on demand to stay in contention.
What started as a 206 player knock-out crusade has now trickled down to last 8 players. Chess world has proved that it has no dearth of talent showing the door to all but just two of the top ten. With every passing game and round the stakes keep getting higher. The FIDE World Cup winner gets $ 120,000 that comes up with the coveted Candidates spot and the newly christened “Viswanathan Anand Cup”. Also making the cut for the Candidates would the second and third placed Grandmasters in the World Cup.
The 2nd classical game of round six starts by Tuesday, 17th November at 4:30 AM ET / 10:30 AM CET / 3:00 PM IST.
Results: (Round 6 Game 1): Javokhir Sindarov drew with José Martínez Alcántara, Wei Yi drew with Erigaisi Arjun, Sam Shankland drew with Andrey Esipenko, Nodirbek Yakubboev beat Alexander Donchenko.
Yakubboev Nodirbek (2689) – Donchenko Alexander (2641) 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. e4 Bg7 6. Ne2 e6 7. Nec3 exd5 8. cxd5 a6 9. a4 Nh5 10. Qe2 Bd4 11. g4 Qh4+ 12. Kd1 Nf6 13. Kc2 Nfd7 14. Bf4 Qf6 15. Be3 Ne5 16. Nd2 Qh4 17. Bf4 h5 18. Bg3 Qe7 19. gxh5 Rxh5 20. h4 Ra7 21. a5 b5 22. axb6 Rb7 23. Bxe5 Bxe5 24. Nc4 Rxh4 25. Rxh4 Qxh4 26. Nxe5 dxe5 27. Qe3 Rxb6 28. b4 Nd7 29. bxc5 Rb4 30. c6 Nb6 31. Be2 Qh2 32. d6 Be6 33. d7+ Bxd7 34. cxd7+ Nxd7 35. Rxa6 Kf8 36. Rd6 Rb7 37. Qd2 Nc5 38. Qd5 Rc7 39. Rxg6 Ne6 40. Qd6+ Re7 41. Rg4 f6 42. Qb8+ Re8 43. Rg8+ Kxg8
44. Qxe8+ 1-0
Complete Results
Photos Courtesy: Michal Walusza / Eteri Kublashvili / FIDE (International Chess Federation)
Official Site: https://worldcup2025.fide.com/
