3rd UzChess Cup Masters 2026: Nepomniachtchi misses against Abdusattorov
Ian Nepomniachtchi missed a big opportunity to win against Nodirbek Abdusattorov in Round 4 of 3rd UzChess Cup Masters 2026.
Vokhidov, Arjun and Abdusattorov at 2.5/4
Shamsiddin Vokhidov defeated Nikolas Theodorou to join the lead with Arjun Erigaisi and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Arjun drew his game against fellow compatriot Vidit Gujrathi. Mukhiddin Madaminov suffered second straight loss, this time it was against Nodirbek Yakubboev. Currently, Vokhidov, Arjun and Abdusattorov are in a three-way lead at 2.5/4 each.
Challengers: GM Aditya Mittal scored his first win of the event against GM Jakhongir Vakhidov (UZB) after the latter’s adventurous play did not work out.
Futures: GM Sethuraman S P scored his first win of the tournament against GM Peng Li Min (SUI) in the fourth round.
Nepomniachtchi – Abdusattorov: 0.5-0.5
Ian Nepomniachtchi (2733) and Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB, 2777) have played five Classical rated games against each other. Both won a game each and the remaining three ended in draws including the one at the very same event last year. Nepomniachtchi got himself a chance to win in the knight endgame.
While White has an advantage in the above position, 53…hxg5?? only increased it. 54.fxg5+- Ke6 55.Kf4 Nd2 56.Ne5 Nb3 57.g6 Kf6 58.Nd7+ Ke6 now White needed to play 59.Kg5 to march towards victory. Instead, 58.Ne5 Kf6 59.Nd3? and White’s advantage evaporated. The game eventually ended in a draw.
Theodorou – Vokhidov
Nikolas Theodorou (GRE, 2634) and Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB, 2637) played a sharp game. It was certainly not easy for White to hold the position together. 44.Bf4?? Bh5-+ and things started falling apart in a hurry for White. 45.Kh2 Bf3 46.Be5 Qd1 47.Qc3 Rc8 and it’s over. Find out what White should have done instead.
Time Control
40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes for the rest of the game with 30 seconds increment starting frtom move one in Masters. For Challengers, Futures and Open, the time control is 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
Prizes
The total prize fund combining Masters, Challengers and Futures is US$ 215000. Masters has $150000, Challengers $50000 and Futures $15000.
Schedule
Every day from 7th to 15th June 2026, 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.
Replay Round 4 Masters games
Replay Round 3-4 Challengers games
Replay Round 3-4 Futures games
Masters Round 4 results
Standings after Round 4
Round 5-9 pairings
Challengers Round 3-4 results
Futures Round 3-4 results
Links
UzChess Cup: Official site, instagram and twitter
Uzbekistan Chess Federation: Telegram, Youtube, facebook and instagram
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