Drama, nerves, and a touch of luck defined the semi-finals of the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Arpora on Sunday, as GM Wei Yi of China and GM Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan secured their spots in the final. Both players will also earn a place in the prestigious Candidates Tournament.
Wei Yi survives Esipenko’s challenge
In a tense encounter, 26-year-old Wei Yi faced Russia’s 23-year-old GM Andrey Esipenko. The first game in Petrov’s Defense ended in a cautious 36-move draw, but the real drama came in the reverse fixture, where Wei Yi had the black pieces.
The game, played with the Italian Game: Classical Variation, saw Esipenko pressing hard in the endgame. Down two pawns, Wei Yi appeared under immense pressure. With both players under a minute on the clock, a single moment of miscalculation would be decisive. That moment arrived on move 56, when Esipenko’s rook on g2 was left undefended. Wei Yi didn’t miss the chance, delivering a crushing blow one move later to seal victory and his place in the final.
Speaking after the game, Wei Yi humbly acknowledged the role of luck. “This is one of the biggest glories of my chess career. I didn’t expect it. In Game 2, my opponent blundered the rook. Until then, I was only fighting for a draw. It’s a long tournament, and he was tired, which is why he blundered,” he said.
Sindarov outplays Yakubboev in tense all-Uzbek clash
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Javokhir Sindarov faced his compatriot GM Nodirbek Yakubboev in a nail-biting semi-final tie. Sindarov’s consistent pressure in the Semi-Slav Defense during the first game, and later in a Najdorf Sicilian in the must-win second game, forced Yakubboev to concede in a rook-and-pawn endgame after 47 moves in Game 1.
The second game was a calculated, tension-filled battle. Sindarov’s precise defense in another rook-and-pawn endgame led to a draw on move 54, enough to see him through to the final with a 2.5-1.5 aggregate win.
The stage is set for a generational clash
On Monday, chess fans will witness a compelling showdown between Wei Yi, one of China’s brightest stars, and Sindarov, Uzbekistan’s young prodigy, for top honours at the FIDE World Cup. Meanwhile, Esipenko and Yakubboev will compete for the third Candidates spot, promising more drama before the tournament concludes.
Results:
- GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) bt GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) – 2.5:1.5 aggregate
- GM Wei Yi (CHN) bt GM Andrey Esipenko (RUS) – 2.5:1.5 aggregate
