Wei Yi and Javokhir Sindarov will square off in the Finals of FIDE World Cup 2025
Wei Yi (CHN) will face Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) in the Finals of FIDE World Cup 2025. The first game was a well-contested draw between Wei and Andrey Esipenko. However, in the second game, Esipenko hung his rook in a similar way he dropped his bishop against D Gukesh in the previous World Cup Quarterfinals. This time Esipenko had an advantageous position where he dropped his rook and the World Cup. Sindarov started the day with a nice technical win in the double rook endgame against Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB). He was winning in the second game. However, he played cautiously and drew as it was enough for him to advance to the Final and secure his place in the FIDE Candidates 2026. Wei and Sindarov will focus only on Finals from tomorrow. Yakubboev and Esipenko will have to battle for third place as well as place in the coveted Candidates. Finals Game 1 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed
First Uzbek in the Finals of a FIDE World Cup in modern format, Wei becomes second Chinese after Ding Liren
For the first time, a player from Uzbekistan is in the Finals of a FIDE World Cup in modern format where Candidates spot is up for grabs. The last time a player from China was in the Finals of a FIDE World Cup was Ding Liren in 2017 and 2019, before he became the World Champion.
Sindarov - Yakubboev: 2.5-1.5
GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) got a significant advantage in the double rook endgame, thanks to a pawn mass on the queenside.
Yakubboev - Sindarov, Game 3
Black's pawn mass on the queenside look menacing. 33.Rd4 Rae8 34.Rc3 Kf6 35.Kf3 now Ke7! idea Kd6-c5 gives Black a decisive advantage. Instead, he opted for the human option 35...h5 36.b3 g5 37.fxg5+ Kxg5 38.bxc4 Rf6+ 39.Kg2 dxc4 40.a4?? is the final mistake as it helps to create connected passed pawn Ra8-+ and it's over. Black won the game in seven more moves.
Sindarov made his intentions clear early in the second 15'+10" Rapid game opting for 7.g4 Nfd7 8.g5 b5
Sindarov - Yakubboev, Game 4
White got a decisive advantage in under 20 moves. He only needed a draw to win the match, advance to the Final and earn his place in the Candidates. So, he played cautiously and instead of trying to convert his advantage, he ensured that he can comfortably draw the game which is what was enough, given the situation.
Esipenko - Wei: 1.5-2.5
The first 15'+10" Rapid tie-break game between GM Andrey Esipenko and GM Wei Yi (CHN) was a well-contested draw.
Esipenko got eliminated in a similar way as he did in the previous World Cup against D Gukesh. This time he blundered in an advantageous rook and knight endgame against Wei.
Wei - Esipenko, Game 4
Wei just attacked the rook 56.Ne3 and also threatened Nd5. Esipenko motioned to save his rook first, but then he changed his mind and played 56...c6?? Wei immediately played 57.Nxg2 and it was over for Esipenko. Last time he dropped his bishop and this time he dropped a rook as well as the World Cup.
For more photos, please click here.
Replay live stream
Links
Related News
19-year-old Javokhir Sindarov becomes the youngest ever FIDE World Cup Champion
Tie-breaks will decide the winner of FIDE World Cup 2025, Esipenko third
FIDE World Cup 2025 Finals: Wei misses a half chance after creating it
FIDE World Cup 2025 SF2: Tie-breaks to determine the Finalists
FIDE World Cup 2025 SF1: Two contrasting draws
FIDE World Cup 2025 QF TB: Wei Yi knocks out Arjun Erigaisi to move to the Semifinals
FIDE World Cup 2025 QF2: Arjun Erigaisi misses a tough chance, Yakubboev becomes the first Semifinalist
World Cup 2025 QF1: Arjun plays a Grandmaster draw against Wei Yi, Yakubboev outplays Donchenko
FIDE World Cup 2025 R5 TB: Jose Martinez knocks out Pentala Harikrishna, continues his dream run
FIDE World Cup 2025 R5.2: Arjun Erigaisi elegantly eliminates Levon Aronian, Harikrishna to play tie-breaks
FIDE World Cup 2025 R5.1: Arjun Erigaisi and Pentala Harikrishna play solid draws, Sindarov beats Frederik
FIDE World Cup 2025 R4 TB: Arjun Erigaisi and Pentala Harikrishna advance to Round of 16
FIDE World Cup 2025 R4.2: Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa and Harikrishna to play tie-breaks
World Cup 2025 R4.1: Jose Martinez outplays Sarana, Praggnanandhaa makes a narrow escape against Dubov
FIDE World Cup 2025 R3 TB: Karthik Venkataraman conquers Bogdan-Daniel Deac
FIDE World Cup 2025 R3.2: Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Pranav V and Harikrishna advance
These World Cup photos took my imagination on a trip
FIDE World Cup 2025 R3.1: Arjun Erigaisi scores a hat-trick, Harikrishna and Pranav also win
World Cup Round 2 Tie-Breaks: Moments you don’t want to miss
World Cup 2025 R2 TB: Praggnanandhaa barely escapes elimination, joins Vidit, Narayanan, Pranesh and Pranav
FIDE World Cup 2025 R2.2: Diptayan shocks Nepo, advances with Gukesh, Arjun, Harikrishna and Karthik
FIDE World Cup 2025 Round 2.1: Arjun Erigaisi and Pranav Venkatesh score a win
FIDE World Cup 2025 Round 1 TB: Diptayan Ghosh, S L Narayanan and Aronyak Ghosh are through to Round 2
FIDE World Cup 2025 R 1.2: Pranav, Raunak, Pranesh, Iniyan, Karthik and Surya advance to Round 2, Aronyak pulls off a stunner against Mateusz
FIDE World Cup 2025 Round 1.1: Pranav, Pranesh, Iniyan and Surya make a winning start
16 Indians set to battle in FIDE World Cup 2025 Round 1
Get your tickets for FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa!
FIDE World Cup 2025: Players list and pairings announced
गोवा में होगा फीडे विश्व कप 2025 !
FIDE World Cup 2025 heads to Goa
FIDE World Cup 2025 to take place in India
FIDE World Cup 2025 qualification quotas updated