UzChess Cup: Madaminov, Theodorou stun Nepo, Niemann

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
6/8/2026 – The UzChess Cup began in Tashkent with three decisive games in round one, all won by white. The two lowest-rated players in the field, Mukhiddin Madaminov and Nikolas Theodorou (pictured, left), scored upset victories over Ian Nepomniachtchi and Hans Niemann respectively, while Shakhriyar Mamedyarov defeated Vidit Gujrathi. Madaminov's win was especially notable, given his late inclusion after Javokhir Sindarov's withdrawal. | Photo: Official website
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Three early co-leaders

The UzChess Cup began on Sunday in Tashkent with three decisive games in the opening round, all of them won by the players with the white pieces. The first day brought upset victories for the two lowest-rated participants in the field, as Mukhiddin Madaminov defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi and Nikolas Theodorou beat Hans Niemann.

Madaminov's win was particularly notable, as he is the only player rated below 2600 in the tournament. The 19-year-old Uzbek player joined the field after the withdrawal of Candidates winner Javokhir Sindarov, for whom he works as a second. Madaminov assisted Sindarov during his successful campaign in Cyprus.

Theodorou also made the most of his chances against one of the six players rated 2700 or above in the field. Both he and Madaminov found surprising pawn pushes to exploit errors by their higher-rated opponents, turning the opening round into a difficult day for two of the event's better-known names.

The other decisive result saw Shakhriyar Mamedyarov defeat Vidit Gujrathi. The Azerbaijani grandmaster converted a pawn-up rook endgame after Vidit faltered in a position that had been close to fully balanced.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Vidit Gujrathi

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov defeated Vidit Gujrathi | Photo: Official website

Nepomniachtchi had two minor pieces for a rook and three pawns in a tricky middlegame position against Madaminov. The Russian GM erred with 24...d4?, which is refuted by the rather surprising 25.a6!

Black cannot capture the knight with 25...dxc3?? due to 26.a7 and there is no stopping the pawn. Instead, there followed 25...Rb8 26.Ne4 Nxe4 27.Qxe4 Bc6 28.Qg4 Ra8 29.Ra3

The strong pawn push on move 25 allowed White to gain a few key tempi to transfer his queen and one of the rooks to the kingside, combining attacking ideas with the permanent threat of the a-pawn advancement. Nepo's position soon collapsed, as resignation came on move 33.

Mukhiddin Madaminov, Ian Nepomniachtchi

Mukhiddin Madaminov beat Ian Nepomniachtchi | Photo: Official website

Round 1 results

Standings after round 1

All games

Links

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Topics: UzChess Cup 2026
Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.
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