2nd UzChess Cup R7: Abdusattorov bounces back, Arjun and Sindarov in the fray

by Shahid Ahmed - 25/06/2025

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) bounced back with an emphatic victory over Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) in Round 7 of 2nd UzChess Cup Masters 2025. Abdusattorov got a better position out of the opening and he managed to convert it without any difficulty. Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) scored the only other victory of the round when Aravindh Chithambaram traded queens at an inopportune moment. Arjun Erigaisi drew with Richard Rapport. Both Sindarov and Arjun are trailing the sole leader Abdusattorov by a half point at 4.5/7 each. R Praggnanandhaa ended his tough losing streak by sharing the point with Ian Nepomniachtchi. The penultimate Round 8 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Abdusattorov and Sindarov score

Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) salvaged a draw from a losing position against Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB). GM Nikolas Theodorou (GRE) drew with GM Nijat Abasov (AZE) to maintain his sole lead 5.5/7. In the Futures event, GM Ortik Nigmatov (UZB) suffered a loss against GM Boris Chatalbashev (DEN). Ortik is still in the sole lead 4.5/7.

Nepomniachtchi - Praggnanandhaa: 0.5-0.5

Ian Nepomniachtchi (2757) has played six Classical rated games against R Praggnanandhaa (2767). All of them ended in draws. This time also it was no different.

Position after 22...h4

Praggnanandhaa launched an ambitious attack 22...h4. However, it did not yield anything substantial. 23.Qe3 Kg7 24.Be2 Rh8 25.Nc4 Nxc4 26.Bxc4 Qf6 27.Qf4 Rh6 28.Qxf6+ Kxf6 and the eventually liquidated into an opposite color bishop endgame where draw became the obvious outcome.

Ian Nepomniachtchi and R Praggnanandhaa had their seventh draw against each other in Classical games

Abdusattorov - Maghsoodloo: 1-0

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB, 2767) faced Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI, 2691) nine times in Classical rated games. Abdusattorov has won five, Parham four. The World Rapid 2021 champion got a pleasant position out of the opening.

Position after 12...f6

13.Bd6 Nc8 14.Bxf8 Rxf8 15.Rh3 Qb6 16.Qd2 Bc6 17.Re1 Qc5 18.Nd5 Kf7 19.Nb4 Bb7 20.h6 g6 21.e5 Kg8 Black managed to put his king into safety by castling artificially. However, his position fell apart in a hurry. With this win, Abdusattorov is once again the sole leader 5/7.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) bounced back with a victory after yesterday's tough loss

Vokhidov - Yakubboev: 0.5-0.5

Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB, 2644) and Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB, 2659) played a dozen and a half Classical rated games against each other. Score is 11.5-6.5 in favor of Vokhidov. He had an opportunity to increase the gap, however, Yakubboev fought hard, his opponent misplayed and he managed to salvage a draw from tough position.

Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) showed tremendous fighting spirit to earn a half point from a losing position

Sindarov - Aravindh: 1-0

Javokhir Sindarov (UZB, 2710) faced Aravindh Chithambaram (2749) only once in a Classical rated game nearly seven years ago. Sindarov won that encounter. It was an exciting game where Sindarov kept his king in the center and no black piece could harm it.

Position after 32.Qb6

Black needed to avoid queen trade 32...Qf8 would have been the best continuation for Black. 32...Qxb6?? ended things in a hurry for Black 33.Rxb6+- Rf6 34.Rf1 Rcf8 35.Rxd6 Rxd6 36.Rxf8 g4 one last try 37.Rd8 Kxh5 38.Bb5 g3 39.Bxd7 g2 40.Be8+ Rg6 41.Bxg6+ Kh6 42.Bf7 and White won.

Aravindh Chithambaram suffered his third loss of the event

Rapport - Arjun: 0.5-0.5

Arjun Erigaisi (2782) faced Richard Rapport (HUN, 2714) only once, almost 2.5 years ago. Rapport won that game. This time, Rapport was feeling adventurous. After a queen trade within nine moves, Rapport moved his king all the way to a3.

Position after 14.Ka3

Although the king's placement looks a bit strange, surprisingly it is quite safe there as Black cannot do any harm. The game ended in a draw in another 13 moves.

Richard Rapport (HUN) - Arjun Erigaisi: 0.5-0.5

Arbiters' team

Ceremonial first move of Round 7

Masters

Challengers

Futures

Round 7 in progress

For more Round 7 photos, please click here.

Replay live stream

Replay Round 7 live commentary by FM Shakhzod Vokhidov (UZB) and WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili (GEO) | Video: chess24

Replay Round 7 live commentary by Amruta Mokal and IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Challengers Round 7 games

Replay Futures Round 7 games

Time Control

90 minutes for the first 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game with 30 seconds increment starting from move one in Masters. For Challengers, Futures and Open, the time control is 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

Prizes

The total prize fund is US$ 121500. Masters has $80000, Challengers $25000, Futures $11500 and Open $5000.

Masters Round 7 results

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	4	2757	GM	Nepomniachtchi, Ian	½ - ½	GM	Praggnanandhaa, R	2767	10
2	5	2767	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	1 - 0	GM	Maghsoodloo, Parham	2691	3
3	6	2644	GM	Vokhidov, Shamsiddin	½ - ½	GM	Yakubboev, Nodirbek	2659	2
4	7	2710	GM	Sindarov, Javokhir	1 - 0	GM	Aravindh, Chithambaram Vr.	2749	1
5	8	2714	GM	Rapport, Richard	½ - ½	GM	Erigaisi, Arjun	2782	9

Details

Standings after Round 7

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB4	TB5	w-we	K	rtg+/-
1	5	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	UZB	2767	5	0	15,50	4	0	2	0,92	10	9,2
2	9	GM	Erigaisi, Arjun	IND	2782	4,5	0,5	15,25	2	2	2,5	0,28	10	2,8
3	7	GM	Sindarov, Javokhir	UZB	2710	4,5	0,5	13,75	3	1	1	1,30	10	13
4	3	GM	Maghsoodloo, Parham	IRI	2691	4	0	13,25	2	1	2,5	0,98	10	9,8
5	2	GM	Yakubboev, Nodirbek	UZB	2659	3,5	0,5	11,25	2	1	1,5	0,74	10	7,4
6	10	GM	Praggnanandhaa, R	IND	2767	3,5	0,5	10,75	2	0	1,5	-0,61	10	-6,1
7	8	GM	Rapport, Richard	HUN	2714	3	0,5	10,25	1	1	2	-0,35	10	-3,5
8	4	GM	Nepomniachtchi, Ian	FID	2757	3	0,5	10,25	0	0	2	-0,82	10	-8,2
9	6	GM	Vokhidov, Shamsiddin	UZB	2644	2	0,5	6,50	0	0	1	-0,62	10	-6,2
10	1	GM	Aravindh, Chithambaram Vr.	IND	2749	2	0,5	6,25	0	0	1	-1,82	10	-18,2

Details

Round 8 pairings

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	10	2767	GM	Praggnanandhaa, R		GM	Erigaisi, Arjun	2782	9
2	1	2749	GM	Aravindh, Chithambaram Vr.		GM	Rapport, Richard	2714	8
3	2	2659	GM	Yakubboev, Nodirbek		GM	Sindarov, Javokhir	2710	7
4	3	2691	GM	Maghsoodloo, Parham		GM	Vokhidov, Shamsiddin	2644	6
5	4	2757	GM	Nepomniachtchi, Ian		GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	2767	5

Details

Challengers Round 7 results

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	4	2536	GM	Madaminov, Mukhiddin	1 - 0	GM	Hong, Andrew	2589	10	PGN
2	5	2370	IM	Tokhirjonova, Gulrukhbegim	0 - 1	GM	Sivuk, Vitaly	2522	3	PGN
3	6	2539	GM	Vakhidov, Jakhongir	0 - 1	IM	Suyarov, Mukhammadzokhid	2490	2	PGN
4	7	2594	GM	Abasov, Nijat	½ - ½	GM	Theodorou, Nikolas	2613	1	PGN
5	8	2634	GM	Ivanchuk, Vasyl	½ - ½	GM	Ma, Qun	2630	9	PGN

Details

Standings after Round 7

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB4	TB5	w-we	K	rtg+/-
1	1	GM	Theodorou, Nikolas	GRE	2613	5,5	0	18,50	4	1	2,5	1,14	10	11,4
2	4	GM	Madaminov, Mukhiddin	UZB	2536	4,5	0	15,25	3	0	2	1,44	10	14,4
3	10	GM	Hong, Andrew	USA	2589	4	0,5	13,25	3	1	1	0,23	10	2,3
4	3	GM	Sivuk, Vitaly	SWE	2522	4	0,5	12,75	2	1	2	0,79	10	7,9
5	8	GM	Ivanchuk, Vasyl	UKR	2634	3,5	0	11,25	2	2	1,5	-0,86	10	-8,6
6	2	IM	Suyarov, Mukhammadzokhid	UZB	2490	3	0	9,25	1	1	1	0,01	10	0,1
7	7	GM	Abasov, Nijat	AZE	2594	3	0	9,25	1	0	1	-0,81	10	-8,1
8	9	GM	Ma, Qun	CHN	2630	3	0	9,00	0	0	1	-1,45	10	-14,5
9	6	GM	Vakhidov, Jakhongir	UZB	2539	2,5	0	7,50	1	1	1	-0,79	10	-7,9
10	5	IM	Tokhirjonova, Gulrukhbegim	UZB	2370	2	0	7,00	0	0	0,5	0,30	10	3

Details

Round 8 pairings

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	10	2589	GM	Hong, Andrew		GM	Ma, Qun	2630	9
2	1	2613	GM	Theodorou, Nikolas		GM	Ivanchuk, Vasyl	2634	8
3	2	2490	IM	Suyarov, Mukhammadzokhid		GM	Abasov, Nijat	2594	7
4	3	2522	GM	Sivuk, Vitaly		GM	Vakhidov, Jakhongir	2539	6
5	4	2536	GM	Madaminov, Mukhiddin		IM	Tokhirjonova, Gulrukhbegim	2370	5

Details

Futures Round 7 results

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	4	2517	GM	Atabayev, Saparmyrat	½ - ½	IM	Saydaliev, Saidakbar	2450	10	PGN
2	5	2515	GM	Ruck, Robert	½ - ½	GM	Sychev, Klementy	2513	3	PGN
3	6	2490	GM	Abdisalimov, Abdimalik	1 - 0	IM	Begmuratov, Khumoyun	2470	2	PGN
4	7	2588	GM	Pichot, Alan	½ - ½	GM	Alekseev, Evgeny	2520	1	PGN
5	8	2489	GM	Chatalbashev, Boris	1 - 0	GM	Nigmatov, Ortik	2474	9	PGN

Details

Standings after Round 7

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB4	TB5	w-we	K	rtg+/-
1	9	GM	Nigmatov, Ortik	UZB	2474	4,5	0	14,50	4	1	2	1,36	10	13,6
2	8	GM	Chatalbashev, Boris	DEN	2489	4	0	14,00	2	0	2,5	0,68	10	6,8
3	4	GM	Atabayev, Saparmyrat	TKM	2517	4	0	13,75	2	1	2	0,33	10	3,3
4	1	GM	Alekseev, Evgeny	ISR	2520	4	0	12,75	1	0	1,5	0,36	10	3,6
5	6	GM	Abdisalimov, Abdimalik	UZB	2490	3,5	0	12,25	2	0	1,5	0,09	10	0,9
6	3	GM	Sychev, Klementy	FID	2513	3,5	0	11,75	1	0	1,5	-0,21	10	-2,1
7	10	IM	Saydaliev, Saidakbar	UZB	2450	3	0	10,75	1	0	2	0,11	10	1,1
8	2	IM	Begmuratov, Khumoyun	UZB	2470	3	0	10,25	1	0	1,5	-0,23	10	-2,3
9	7	GM	Pichot, Alan	ESP	2588	3	0	10,00	2	1	2	-1,41	10	-14,1
10	5	GM	Ruck, Robert	HUN	2515	2,5	0	9,00	0	0	2	-1,08	10	-10,8

Details

Round 8 pairings

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	10	2450	IM	Saydaliev, Saidakbar		GM	Nigmatov, Ortik	2474	9
2	1	2520	GM	Alekseev, Evgeny		GM	Chatalbashev, Boris	2489	8
3	2	2470	IM	Begmuratov, Khumoyun		GM	Pichot, Alan	2588	7
4	3	2513	GM	Sychev, Klementy		GM	Abdisalimov, Abdimalik	2490	6
5	4	2517	GM	Atabayev, Saparmyrat		GM	Ruck, Robert	2515	5

Details

Schedule

Every day from 19th to 26th June 2025, the round starts at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Only the last round will start at 11 a.m. local time, 11:30 a.m. IST.

Links

Uzbekistan Chess Federation: Telegram, fb page and youtube

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