World Cup Quarterfinals: Arjun Erigaisi Misses Win, Heads to Tiebreaks as Yakubboev Reaches Semis

Goa, India - November 18, 2025 - India's Arjun Erigaisi missed a winning opportunity against China's Wei Yi in the World Cup quarterfinals, settling for a draw that forces Wednesday's tiebreak showdown. The world number three had a decisive middlegame advantage but chose safety over a computer-suggested bishop sacrifice, allowing Wei Yi to escape. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Yakubboev became the first semifinalist by defeating Germany's Alexander Donchenko 1.5-0.5, simultaneously crossing the 2700 rating barrier for the first time in his career. Three quarterfinal matches now head to rapid tiebreaks on November 19.

November 18 Quarterfinal Results

Nodirbek Yakubboev defeated Alexander Donchenko 1.5-0.5 to advance to the semifinals. The other three matches ended in draws: Wei Yi held Arjun Erigaisi 1-1, Javokhir Sindarov drew with Jose Martinez 1-1, and Sam Shankland split points with Andrey Esipenko 1-1. All three will play rapid tiebreaks on Wednesday.

Yakubboev: First Semifinalist, New 2700 Member

Nodirbek Yakubboev sealed his semifinal spot with clinical precision. After winning Game 1 with White on November 17, he needed only a draw in Game 2, which he secured in 57 moves playing Black against Donchenko. The victory carries double significance. Beyond reaching the semifinals, Yakubboev's Game 1 win pushed his live rating to 2701, making him the newest member of the exclusive 2700 club. The 23-year-old Uzbek started the tournament rated 2689 but has gained enough points to cross this prestigious milestone for the first time. When asked about joining the 2700 club, Yakubboev remained humble: "It's always nice, but I always say that those are just numbers. If you play good chess, your rating will be higher and higher." Yakubboev's path to the semifinals has been remarkably efficient. He's only needed tiebreaks once (Round 3) and has decided all other matches in classical games. He eliminated Donchenko, the giant-killer who shocked second seed Anish Giri in Round 3.

Three 2700+ Players Remain

With Yakubboev's breakthrough, three players rated above 2700 are still competing for the title: Arjun Erigaisi (2769), Javokhir Sindarov (2721), and Yakubboev (2701). This marks the highest concentration of elite-rated players in the final stages of a World Cup in recent years.

Arjun's Missed Opportunity

Arjun Erigaisi had the day's most critical moment and let it slip away. Playing White in Game 2, Arjun gained a winning middlegame advantage against Wei Yi. At the critical position, chess engines identified a brilliant bishop sacrifice as the top move to deliver decisive advantage. Instead, Arjun chose the safer Queen to d2. Wei Yi defended accurately, neutralized the position, and the game ended in a draw after 32 moves. Despite missing the win, Arjun remains the favorite to advance in Wednesday's tiebreaks. He's higher rated (2769 vs Wei Yi's 2752), stronger in rapid format, and has shown excellent composure throughout the tournament. In the previous round, he defeated two-time World Cup winner Levon Aronian with Black, rejecting a draw offer and forcing resignation with a brilliant triple attack. Former Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur made the ceremonial first move on Arjun's board before the game began.

The Other Tiebreaks

Javokhir Sindarov and Jose Martinez played the shortest game of the day, just 25 moves in 18 minutes. Both players were content to save energy for Wednesday's tiebreaks. Martinez, the tournament's miracle man at seed 112, continues his unprecedented run. He's already eliminated world number 12 Abdusattorov, Alexey Sarana, and Pentala Harikrishna. One more tiebreak win puts him in the semifinals.

Sam Shankland and Andrey Esipenko battled for 37 moves before agreeing to a draw. Both showed solid preparation, preserving energy for the rapid tiebreaks that will decide their fate.

What's at Stake

The winner claims the World Cup trophy, newly named the Viswanathan Anand Cup, a share of the $2 million prize pool, and most importantly, automatic qualification for the Candidates 2026 tournament in Cyprus. The top three finishers all qualify for the Candidates, earning a shot at challenging for the World Championship in 2026.

Wednesday's Tiebreak Schedule

Three quarterfinal tiebreaks will be played on November 19, starting at 3:00 PM IST. The format begins with two rapid games (15 minutes plus 10-second increment per move). If still tied, progressively faster tiebreaks continue until a winner emerges.

Wei Yi faces Arjun Erigaisi, with India's last hope starting with the Black pieces. Arjun is favored due to his superior rapid chess skills, but Wei Yi has defended stubbornly throughout the classical games.

Javokhir Sindarov meets Jose Martinez in a clash between Uzbekistan's established star and Mexico's underdog sensation. Martinez has defied every expectation so far, and one more upset would complete one of chess's greatest Cinderella stories.

Sam Shankland battles Andrey Esipenko in the third tiebreak. Both players have shown solid form and will look to capitalize on any mistakes in the faster time control.

The Martinez Miracle Watch

Jose Martinez remains on the verge of chess history. Entering as seed 112, he's beaten three higher-rated opponents to reach the quarterfinals. If he defeats Sindarov in Wednesday's tiebreaks, Martinez reaches the World Cup semifinals as the lowest-rated player to ever achieve this feat in the modern era.

His journey includes victories over Nodirbek Abdusattorov (world number 12 and rated 158 points higher), Alexey Sarana, and most recently Pentala Harikrishna in a dramatic tiebreak. Chess fans worldwide are rooting for the Mexican to continue his improbable run.

Yakubboev's Next Challenge

As the first confirmed semifinalist, Yakubboev will face the winner of Wednesday's Sindarov vs Martinez tiebreak. He'll be hoping for his compatriot Sindarov to advance, setting up an all-Uzbek semifinal. However, he acknowledged that Martinez has proven dangerous throughout the tournament.

Yakubboev's World Cup performance has been exceptional. He's now reached the semifinals, crossed 2700 for the first time, and positioned himself as a strong Candidates 2026 contender. A semifinal victory would guarantee his Candidates spot, while even reaching the final ensures qualification.

The Bottom Line

Nodirbek Yakubboev has reached the semifinals and joined the 2700 club after a professional quarterfinal performance. Three matches head to Wednesday tiebreaks, with Arjun Erigaisi favored despite missing a winning opportunity against Wei Yi. The Indian star chose safety over brilliance, banking on his superior rapid chess skills. Wednesday will reveal whether that decision was wise calculation or costly caution. For Jose Martinez, the miracle run continues, with one rapid tiebreak standing between him and an unprecedented semifinal appearance.

Wednesday's tiebreaks decide who joins Yakubboev in the final four and moves one step closer to Candidates 2026 qualification.

Follow ChessTV.com for live tiebreak coverage Wednesday, November 19.

More to explore:

1. Hikaru Nakamura Qualifies for 2026 Candidates Tournament: The Unconventional Road to Cyprus
2. Diptayan Ghosh Eliminates Nepomniachtchi, Leaving No Russians in the Candidates
3. World Cup 2025 Round 4: Levon Aronian Dominates, Praggnanandhaa Survives Scare