GMs Wei Yi, Javokhir Sindarov set up final
NT Reporter | Arpoora
Uzbekistan’s GM Javokhir Sindarov and China’s GM Wei Yi will meet in the FIDE World Cup 2025 final after winning their semifinals in tiebreaks on Sunday, securing coveted spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
With both classical games drawn, the pressure shifted to rapid play. Sindarov seized control immediately against compatriot Nodirbek Yakubboev, winning the first rapid game with black after steering a precise rook-and-pawn ending, his advancing c-pawn forcing resignation on move 47. The 19-year-old then held firm with white, neutralising Yakubboev’s late push to close out the match with a composed draw after 54 moves.
In the other semifinal, Wei Yi once again demonstrated why he arrived as the highest-rated player left in the field. After a solid draw with black in the first rapid game, he capitalised on a late collapse from Russia’s Andrey Esipenko in the second. Though Wei appeared in trouble with two fewer pawns in a rook-knight endgame, Esipenko missed a critical defensive idea on move 55 and later blundered his rook, allowing Wei to convert in 57 moves.
“Biggest achievement of my chess career,” Wei said afterward. “In the final position my opponent blundered a rook. Otherwise, black could still push and I would have to fight for a draw. It’s a long tournament and maybe he was tired.”
Sindarov and Wei now battle for the Viswanathan Anand Cup, while Yakubboev and Esipenko
face off for the final Candidates spot.
