Uz Chess Cup 2025
The UzChess Cup is a prestigious international chess festival held annually in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Organized by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation and supported by FIDE, the 2nd edition ran from June 18–28, 2025 at the Kitob Olami coworking center and International Chess Academy. It features three elite 10-player round‑robins—Masters, Challengers, and Futures—plus an Open Swiss event.
The UzChess Cup features a $105,000 prize fund, with $80,000 going to the master’s and $25,000 to the Challengers. The Masters section, the highlight of the festival, offers a $80,000 prize fund and is part of the FIDE Circuit; the outright winner secures about 26.63 circuit points.
Tournament format & time control
- Format: 10 players, single round‑robin, 9 classical rounds
- Time control: 90 min for 40 moves + 30 min to finish, with 30-sec increment from move 1. No draws allowed before move 30.
Star-Studded Line-Up
The Masters group featured a thrilling blend of Uzbek heroes and international elite:
| Player | Federation | Elo |
|---|---|---|
| GM Arjun Erigaisi | IND | 2782 |
| GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov | UZB | 2767 |
| GM R. Praggnanandhaa | IND | 2778.3 |
| GM Ian Nepomniachtchi | FIDE | 2757 |
| GM Aravindh Chithambaram | IND | 2749 |
| GM Richard Rapport | HUN | 2714 |
| GM Javokhir Sindarov | UZB | 2710 |
| GM Parham Maghsoodloo | IRI | 2691 |
| GM Nodirbek Yakubboev | UZB | 2659 |
| GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov | UZB | 2644 |
(Parham Maghsoodloo replaced Pentala Harikrishna in the lineup).
The average rating was a staggering 2726, rivaling major tournaments like Tata Steel.
How It Unfolded
Brilliant Rounds 1–5
- Round 1 saw significant upsets: Sindarov downed Nepomniachtchi; Arjun crushed defending champion Yakubboev early.
- By round 5, Abdusattorov held a solo lead with 4/5, going 3/3 with White .
- Maghsoodloo and Arjun sat just half a point behind after impressive wins—Maghsoodloo over Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun over Vokhidov.
Round 6 Drama
- A six-hour epic saw Yakubboev best Abdusattorov in 132 moves, while Rapport stunned Praggnanandhaa with a sacrificial finish.
- As a result, Abdusattorov, Arjun, and Maghsoodloo shared the lead on 4/6, each undefeated.
Final Stretch R Praggnanandhaa won Uzbek chess cup 2025
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa delivered a stellar performance at the Uzbek Chess Cup 2025, securing victory in the 9th and final round against Uzbekistan’s top player Nodirbek Abdusattorov. With this decisive win, Praggnanandhaa not only clinched the championship title but also made history by breaking into the Top 4 in the world rankings. His FIDE rating soared to an impressive 2778.3, marking a major milestone in his young but already illustrious career. The triumph against a world-class opponent on his home turf highlights Praggnanandhaa’s growing dominance on the global chess stage and solidifies his status as one of the most formidable players of his generation.
From battling the world’s best to inspiring millions of young minds, this victory is yet another testament to his dedication, discipline, and deep understanding of the game. Read more about him here
Tournaments won by R Praggnanandhaa:
- UzChess Cup Masters 2025 – Won by defeating Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the final round; entered Top 4 in world rankings with a rating of 2778.3.
- Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025 – Claimed the title after winning a blitz tiebreak, finishing ahead of top global players including D. Gukesh.
- Superbet Classic 2025 (Grand Chess Tour) – Secured victory by defeating Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in a playoff.
- Chess Classic Romania 2025 – Won his first Grand Chess Tour event after a three-way tie and a playoff.
- Reykjavik Open 2022 – Finished unbeaten with 7.5/9 to take first place.
- Paracin Open ‘A’ 2022 (Serbia) – Won with a dominant score of 8/9.
- Norway Chess Group A (Open) 2022 – Triumphed with a strong score of 7.5/9.
Why It Matters
- This tournament is part of the prestigious FIDE Circuit, offering critical ranking points for potential Candidates qualification.
- It spotlights Uzbekistan’s chess surge, showcasing four Uzbek grandmasters in the elite field and promoting chess as part of cultural growth.
- It gives global fans live super‑tournament action outside traditional venues like Wijk aan Zee.
History of chess in Uzbekistan
Chess in Uzbekistan dates back to ancient times, with chess-like artifacts found near Samarkand from the 1st–8th centuries AD. The game flourished during the Timurid era and was revived under Soviet rule with strong national championships. Uzbekistan produced its first Grandmaster, Georgy Agzamov, in 1984. After independence, the country saw a chess resurgence, winning international titles like the 2022 Chess Olympiad. Government support and youth programs have positioned Uzbekistan as a global chess powerhouse today. Read more History of Chess and the Rise of Chess in Uzbekistan
Chess in Uzbekistan Today
State support & popularization
Chess is part of school curricula, supported by public-private initiatives, widespread youth camps, and regular scholastic competitions.
Olympiad success
In 2022, the Uzbek national team claimed gold at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai—an unprecedented achievement.
Major events hosted
Uzbekistan has successfully organized Olympiads and super tournaments, including the recent UzChess Cup and preparations for the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Tashkent.
In Conclusion
You can check the results of this tournament here Schachturnier-Ergebnisserver Chess-results.com – 2nd Uzchess Cup, Masters.
