GMs Wei Yi, Javokhir Sindarov, and Andrey Esipenko will join GM Nodirbek Yakubboev in the 2025 FIDE World Cup Semifinals after winning their matches in tiebreaks. Respectively, they defeated GMs Arjun Erigaisi, Jose Martinez, and Sam Shankland.
Wei dominated his match and won in two games, while Sindarov had to fight back from a loss to reach the 10+10 portion. Shankland won on demand with Black against Esipenko, but wasn’t able to do it again in the second set of tiebreaks.
This is a flash report. Come back later for the game analysis, photos, interviews, and more!
After a rest day, the Semifinals start with game one on Thursday, November 21, starting at 4:30 a.m. ET / 10:30 CET / 3 p.m. IST.
Quarterfinal Results
Uzbekistan is guaranteed to send at least one player to the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, and depending on the third place match, potentially two. All three qualification spots will go to players who have never played in the Candidates before.
GM Rafael Leitao analyzes our Game of the Day below. (The analysis will be added later.)
You can watch the event on Chess.com/TV. You can also enjoy the show on Chess24, on Twitch, or YouTube. Games from the event can be viewed on our events page.
The 2025 FIDE World Cup, which takes place from November 1 to 26 in Goa, India, determines three spots in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. It is a 206-player single-elimination knockout tournament with eight rounds. Each match consists of two classical games followed by rapid and blitz tiebreaks if needed. The prize fund is $2 million.
Previous reports:
- Round 6 Game 2: Yakubboev Advances, Wei Yi Survives Vs. Arjun
- Round 6 Game 1: Yakubboev Draws 1st Blood, Crosses 2700 Live Rating
- Round 5 Tiebreaks: Shankland, Esipenko, Martinez, Donchenko Reach World Cup Quarterfinals
- Round 5 Game 2: Arjun Beats Aronian To Reach World Cup Quarterfinals
- Round 5 Game 1: 19-Year-Old Sindarov Grabs Only Win
- Round 4 Tiebreaks: Arjun Strides On As Pragg, Keymer, MVL, Rapport Lead World Cup Exodus
- Round 4 Game 2: Donchenko, Martinez Continue Giant-Killing As 11 Matches Go To Tiebreaks
- Round 4 Game 1: Aronian, Martinez Strike As Praggnanandhaa Escapes Vs. Dubov
- Round 3 Tiebreaks: Vachier-Lagrave Wins Marathon Match In Armageddon
- Round 3 Game 2: World Champion Gukesh Eliminated By Frederik Svane; Giri, Abdusattorov Also Out
- Round 3 Game 1: Martinez Upsets Abdusattorov With Black Pieces
- Round 2 Tiebreaks: Lodici Knocks Out Niemann, Rasmus Svane Wins In Armageddon
- Round 2 Game 2: Harikrishna Sacs Queen; Nepomniachtchi, Wesley So, Aravindh Eliminated
- Round 2 Game 1: Arjun, Keymer, Wei, Mamedyarov, Vachier-Lagrave Among Early Leaders
- Round 1 Tiebreaks: 12-Year-Old Oro Among 20 Winners In Tiebreaks
- Round 1 Game 2: IM Shixu Wang Pulls Upset, 20 Matches Go To Tiebreaks
- Round 1 Game 1: Saleh Plays Attack Of The Day, Favorites Prevail In Game 1
- 2025 FIDE World Cup Pairings, Venue Revealed
- Divya Among 6 Players Awarded World Cup Wildcard Spots; Firouzja Not In
