Local representatives doing well in Tashkent

Round four of the UzChess Cup produced two decisive games on Wednesday in Tashkent, leaving three players tied for first place on 2½/4. Top seeds Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Arjun Erigaisi both drew their games and remained in the leading group, where they were joined by Shamsiddin Vokhidov.

Vokhidov has recovered well from his second-round loss to Hans Niemann, scoring back-to-back wins in rounds three and four. After defeating former sole leader Mukhiddin Madaminov on Tuesday, he beat Nikolas Theodorou in a double-edged game arising from an Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined.

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The other winner of the day was Nodirbek Yakubboev, who defeated Madaminov with the black pieces. The result brought Yakubboev back to a fifty-percent score, while Madaminov suffered a second consecutive defeat after having started the tournament with wins over Ian Nepomniachtchi and Theodorou.

Yakubboev and Madaminov now stand on 2/4, half a point behind the three leaders. The standings remain favourable for the local representatives, with Vokhidov sharing first place and Madaminov still close to the top despite his recent losses. Both Vokhidov and Madaminov are performing above expectations given their ratings.

Theodorou 0-1 Vokhidov

Round 4 results

Standings after round 4

All games

Links

• Official website
• Javokhir Sindarov: "The quarantine changed my life"