FIDE World Cup 2025 Finals: Wei misses a half chance after creating it
Wei Yi (CHN) created a half chance for himself against Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) in the first Finals game of FIDE World Cup 2025. However, when the moment arose to go for a line where only he could push for a win, he opted for the safer choice. It could be the stakes are too high to what he might have perceived as risky or the fatigue of playing all three formats of high level of chess for three weeks. One can only fathom. We might get the answer to it tomorrow. After missing an early opportunity, Andrey Esipenko struck late in the endgame against Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB). Esipenko needs a draw as a minimum in the second game to finish third and secure his place in the FIDE Candidates 2026. Finals Game 2 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed
Esipenko bounces back
World's best and one of the official commentators, Peter Leko (HUN) mentioned in the live commentary that he played a match against Li Chao (CHN) back in 2015. There Chao was trying to play something which Leko would not predict as Leko knew that he plays well against predictable chess. Similarly, Wei at one point offered two of his minor pieces for a rook. He could have two pawns and rook for the minor pieces but Wei for some reason decided to keep things safe and draw.
Sindarov - Wei: 0.5-0.5
This is the first-ever Classical rated, and also the third-ever over-the-board rated game between GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB, 2721) and GM Wei Yi (CHN, 2752). Wei created an opportunity for himself by offering his two minor pieces for a rook.
21...Bxb2 invited 22.Rb1 Qxd3 23.Qxd3 Bxd3 24.Rxb2 Bxe4? instead 24...Rxf4 25.Nxc5 Rxg4+ 26.Bg3 Bxf1 27.Kxf1 Rf8+ 28.Kg2 b6 now only Black can play for a win and White would have had to fight for a draw. The game continued 25.Bxc5 Rfc8 and meandered into a draw.
Esipenko - Yakubboev: 1-0
GM Andrey Esipenko (2681) and GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB, 2689) have played only four Classical rated games against each other. Esipenko won one and the remaining three ended in draws. Esipenko got the first chance to create a pawn wedge early in the middlegame.
15.Nd6+ Bxd6 16.exd6 Bxf3 17.Rxf3 would have given White an early edge in the game. Instead, 15.Be3 0-0 16.Ng3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 d5 18.exd6 Bxd6 removed that opportunity.
29.Re2 seemed like a virtual non-verbal draw offer Rd1+ 30.Re1 Rd3 would have kept the game going. Instead, 29...Rd5?! 30.Ke1 Ne5 31.b3 Nd3+ 32.Kd1 h5 33.Bd2 and White won the game in five more moves.
Fun Blitz tournament for Media representatives
There was a fun 5-rounds 3'+2" Blitz tournament for the media representatives. It started around 12:30 p.m. Total 14 players took part from various organizations including one from Uzbekistan and six from ChessBase India. I scored an unbeaten 4.5/5 to become a clear champion, drew the last round as I had a full point lead and did not want to let Buchholz tie-break have an unfortunate outcome. Rishi Raj (CircleChess) finished second. I defeated him in Round 4. Our ChessBase India Hindi head, finished third. In short, our team members dominated the podium.
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