Chess World Cup: Arjun draws again to reach tie-breaker against Wei Yi, Yakkuboev reaches semis

Of the four semifinal spots, only one has been claimed yet. The battle for the other three could very well see some bloodbath in the tie-breakers.

That is because all four games on the second day of the quarterfinals of the Chess World Cup were drawn at Resort Rio on Tuesday. That also meant Nodirbek Yakkuboev of Uzbekistan became the first to reach the last four, that too on his country’s National Flag Day. Since he had beaten Alexander Donchenko of Germany in the first game, he only needed a draw.

While the 23-year-old Uzbek could enjoy two days of rest ahead of the first game of the semifinals on Friday, it is going to be a nervous day of tie-breakers for those six men who drew. Among them, the focus was primarily on the second seed, Arjun Erigaisi, and the seventh seed Wei Yi of China.

Nodirbek Yakkuboev of Uzbekistan became the first man to reach the Chess World Cup semifinals in Goa.
| Photo Credit:
FIDE

The duo had played out a quick draw in the first game, which barely lasted an hour. Game 2 was a longer affair, and there was a moment that promised a possible advantage for Arjun, who was playing from the white side of a Semi-Slav Defence.

On the 24th move, Arjun had an opportunity to capture Wei’s centre-pawn with his light-squared bishop. That would have perhaps given him more chances, but he played a queen move. The position remained equal, and that was how the game ended, another eight moves later: the queens were still on the board as well as a rook and two minor pieces each.

The game between Donchenko and Yakkuboev was the last to finish: it had for a long time looked like a draw. The German, after his defeat in the first game, was in a desperate situation, as only a win could have given him an opportunity in the tie-breakers. Though he had white pieces, it was not going to be easy against an opponent who played some fine chess to exceed expectations.

The Queen’s Gambit Declined game reached a rook-and-pawn ending, and the two men finally signed the peace treaty after 57 moves. So, Yakkuboev has the distinction of scoring the only win from the eight games played over the last two days.

Published on Nov 18, 2025