UzChess Cup Masters 2026: Arjun Erigaisi Beats Yakubboev; Vidit Gujrathi Falls to Nepo
The 3rd UzChess Cup Masters 2026 has kicked off in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The top seed at the Masters is the local hero Nodirbek Abdusattorov, while India's No.1 Arjun Erigaisi is the 2nd seed. The first 2 round of the tournament are done, and Mukhiddin Madaminov, who is also the second of the Candidates winner Javokhir Sindarov, is leading the tournament with 2/2 points after scoring a huge win over Ian Nepomniachtchi in the 1st round. Arjun Erigasi is on 1.5/2 after defeating Nodirbek Yakubboev in 2nd round. Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation
2/2 for Madaminov
During the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa and the FIDE Candidates 2026, we saw a constant person near Javokhir Sindarov. When Sindarov lifted the trophy in both events, his friend and his second, Mukhiddin Madaminov, was there next to him. As Sindarov is not playing any major event, Madaminov decided to play at Uzchess, and what a guy, he defeated Nepo in 1st round and Nikolas Theodorou in 2nd.
Arjun Erigaisi vs Nodirbek Yakubboev (Round 2)
After drawing his first game against Shamsiddin Vokhidov, Arjun defeated Nodirbek Yakubboev with the white pieces in the 2nd round. It was a sharp game where Arjun defended the position correctly and found a counterattack to win.
Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Vidit Gujrathi
It was a very complex battle where Nepo was better, but Vidit had a lot of chances to equalise the position. Even in the endgame, Vidit had chances to draw the game, but under time pressure, he failed to do so and lost.
Replay the Masters Games of Round 1 and 2
Standings of Masters
Results of Round 2
o. | No. | Rtg |
| White | Result | Black |
| Rtg | No. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | 2733 | GM | 1 - 0 | GM | 2708 | 6 | ||||||
2 | 7 | 2777 | GM | 1 - 0 | GM | 2717 | 5 | ||||||
3 | 8 | 2761 | GM | 1 - 0 | GM | 2689 | 4 | ||||||
4 | 9 | 2742 | GM | GM | 1 - 0 | 2637 | 3 | ||||||
5 | 1 | 2586 | GM | 1 - 0 | GM | 2634 | 2 |
Round 3 Pairing
Bo. | No. | Rtg |
| White | Result | Black |
| Rtg | No. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 2634 | GM | GM | 2733 | 10 | ||||||
2 | 3 | 2637 | GM | GM | 2586 | 1 | ||||||
3 | 4 | 2689 | GM | GM | 2742 | 9 | ||||||
4 | 5 | 2717 | GM | GM | 2761 | 8 | ||||||
5 | 6 | 2708 | GM | GM | 2777 | 7 |
Photo Gallery: ChessBase India, Official Photos
Video Gallery: Here
Live Stream
Line Up
Venue: Crowne Plaza
UzChess Cup 2026 is hosted in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, a modern playing hall in the heart of Central Asia's fastest-growing chess nation. The venue sits minutes from the city centre, with comfortable spectator seating, a live commentary studio, and dedicated press facilities.
Schedule
The 2026 tournament runs from 7 to 15 June. Rounds start at 15:00 local time/ 15:30 IST, except on the last day when rounds start at 11:00 AM.
Time Control
90min/40moves+30min/end+30sec increment per move starting from move 1
Prize fund
The total prize fund is $150,000
Format
10- Player Round Robin with Classical Time Control
Important Links
UzChess Cup: Official site, Instagram, Twitter, Standings, and Results
Uzbekistan Chess Federation: Telegram, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook
