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.
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