World Cup: Yakubboev in semis, Arjun misses chance

Nodirbek Yakubboev became the first player to reach the semifinals of the 2025 FIDE World Cup on Tuesday, drawing with Alexander Donchenko to win their match 1½–½. With the remaining three quarterfinal encounters still level after two games, Arjun Erigaisi v. Wei Yi, Jose Martinez v. Javokhir Sindarov and Andrey Esipenko v. Sam Shankland all head to Wednesday’s tiebreaks, where the next Candidates contenders will begin to emerge. | Photo: Michal Walusza