Javokhir Sindarov wins FIDE World Cup

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
11/26/2025 – Javokhir Sindarov capped a remarkable campaign in Goa by winning the 2025 FIDE World Cup, defeating Wei Yi in a tense rapid-play tiebreak. After both classical games ended drawn, the 19-year-old Uzbek grandmaster kept his composure in a dramatic set of rapid encounters, capitalising on late chances as his opponent faltered in time pressure. Sindarov secured the title, the $120,000 first prize and a major milestone in his fast-rising career. | Photos: Michal Walusza
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally.
FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before. 

Two fighting games

Nineteen-year-old Javokhir Sindarov has already built an impressive résumé, but his greatest achievement to date came on Wednesday in Goa, as he secured overall victory at the 2025 FIDE World Cup. The Uzbek grandmaster prevailed in a tense and often unpredictable tiebreak against Wei Yi, the world number 11, winning the playoff 2½–1½ after both finalists missed good winning chances at different moments.

The first rapid encounter finished drawn, though Sindarov let slip the opportunity to convert a simplified setup that should have led to a winning pawn ending. In what appeared to be a straightforward sequence, he hesitated at a critical moment and allowed Wei to escape with half a point. For the Chinese grandmaster, this was a fortunate reprieve, as falling behind early would have put him under immediate pressure in the short match.

Sindarov ½-½ Wei

Wei Yi

In the second game, Sindarov handled the opening phase with Black confidently, equalising without difficulty and gradually steering the position into channels more favourable for him. As the middlegame developed, he began to probe Wei's defences, but then briefly lost his way, allowing his opponent to seize the initiative.

Wei obtained strong chances and appeared close to breaking through - but, under severe time pressure, he failed to convert several promising continuations.

With the clock ticking down, the game turned sharply. Sindarov launched a counterattack at the moment when Wei's coordination faltered, and with the Chinese player left with only seconds to defend, the balance shifted decisively. Unable to find a satisfactory defensive setup, Wei saw the attack crash through, and the game slipped from his grasp.

Wei 0-1 Sindarov

Sindarov's 2½–1½ victory in the tiebreak secured him the World Cup title, the winner's cheque of $120,000, and the prestigious trophy. Wei Yi, who fought throughout with characteristic determination, earned $85,000 for his runner-up finish. Both finalists, of course, had already achieved the event's most significant reward: qualification to the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

FIDE World Cup 2025

All games - Final and match for third place

Replay games from all rounds at Live.ChessBase.com

EXPAND YOUR CHESS HORIZONS
Data, plans, practice – the new Opening Report In ChessBase there are always attempts to show the typical plans of an opening variation. In the age of engines, chess is much more concrete than previously thought. But amateurs in particular love openings with clear plans, see the London System. In ChessBase ’26, three functions deal with the display of plans. The new opening report examines which piece moves or pawn advances are significant for each important variation. In the reference search you can now see on the board where the pieces usually go. If you start the new Monte Carlo analysis, the board also shows the most common figure paths.

<< Jerusalem Masters without Gelfand: Dispute with the Israel Chess Federation
Riddle: Korchnoi-Karpov 1978 >>
Topics: FIDE World Cup 2025, Javokhir Sindarov
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.
Discussion and Feedback Submit your feedback to the editors

See also

World Cup: Esipenko wins again, gets last Candidates spot

11/26/2025 – A decisive result in the match for third place marked Tuesday's action at the FIDE World Cup in Goa, as Andrey Esipenko secured qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. The Russian grandmaster completed a 2–0 victory over Nodirbek Yakubboev with another confident performance in the rematch, while the second classical game of the final between Wei Yi and Javokhir Sindarov ended in a short draw, sending their title contest to rapid tiebreaks. | Photo: Michal Walusza
More...
 1

See also

World Cup: Esipenko beats Yakubboev

11/24/2025 – The final stage of the FIDE World Cup began in Goa on Tuesday, with Wei Yi and Javokhir Sindarov opening their title match and Andrey Esipenko and Nodirbek Yakubboev starting their fight for the last remaining Candidates spot. Both encounters produced entertaining struggles: Wei pressed slightly in a Petroff Defence before the game was drawn, while Esipenko responded to his painful semifinal exit with a confident win to take the lead in the third-place match. | Photo: Michal Walusza
More...
 1

Video

60m English A practical repertoire against the scotch

For a long time the Scotch opening was considered harmless and rarely played. This changed in 1990 when Garry Kasparov successfully employed the Scotch opening in his World Championship match against Anatoly Karpov. But that was 25 years ago. Now, there is no need to panic if you want to play 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 and need a line against the Scotch. On this 60 Minutes renowned and successful coach Adrian Mikhalchishin gives simple practical tips how to neutralize and counter the Scotch.