Uzbekistan’s Sindarov and China’s Wei Yi storm into FIDE World Cup final, clinch Candidates spots

Uzbekistan’s GM Javokhir Sindarov and China’s GM Wei Yi will face off in the final of the FIDE World Cup after winning their respective semifinals in rapid tiebreaks, securing their places in the upcoming Candidates Tournament in Panaji.

Both classical games in the semifinals ended in draws, pushing the players to prove themselves in the rapid tiebreaks. Sindarov, who had earlier ended GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara’s remarkable run in the quarterfinals, gained an early advantage against compatriot GM Nodirbek Yakubboev. Playing with the black pieces in the first rapid game, Sindarov forced Yakubboev to resign after 47 moves, nearly promoting his c-file pawn to a queen in a rook-pawn endgame. He then drew the second game with white over 54 moves, holding firm despite Yakubboev’s attempts to press for a win.

In the second semifinal, China’s Wei Yi demonstrated his rapid chess mastery. After drawing the first game with black pieces, Wei defeated Russia’s GM Andrey Esipenko in 57 moves with white. Wei survived a tense moment after move 55, when Esipenko had a two-pawn advantage in a rook-knight endgame. A crucial defensive oversight by the Russian Grandmaster allowed Wei to gain the upper hand and secure victory.

Reflecting on his achievement, Wei Yi said, “This is the biggest achievement of my chess career. I am very happy. In the final position of the second game, my opponent blundered a rook. Otherwise, black could have played for a win and I would have had to settle for a draw. This is a long tournament, and maybe he was tired.”

Sindarov and Wei Yi will now clash for the Viswanathan Anand Cup in the final, while Yakubboev and Esipenko will compete for the third and final Candidates spot.

Semifinal Results:

• GM Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan) defeated GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzbekistan) - 2.5:1.5 aggregate

• GM Wei Yi (China) defeated GM Andrey Esipenko (Russia) - 2.5:1.5 aggregate