Chess outsiders triumph at World Cup in Goa and battle for Candidates spots

"He was once a prodigy, renowned for his brilliant attacking style and the youngest to surpass an elite 2700 rating, but then opted to take a six-year break from chess to study economics and management, which he says he does not regret. He made a statement return in 2024, winning the chess Wimbledon at Wijk aan Zee, and the 2026 Candidates is his main target."

"Wei's Russian semi-final opponent Andrey Esipenko, 23, is his country's leading young grandmaster, who is now challenging the dominance of the older generation led by Ian Nepomniachtchi and Alexander Grischuk. In the quarter-finals he eliminated the last American, Sam Shankland, with the rare plan against the Philidor 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d6 of b3 and Bb2 followed by queen's side castling."

"The youngest semi-finalist Javokhir Sindarov, 19, is on the fringe of the world elite and has demonstrated his potential in previous major events. Uzbekistan succeeded even though its top player, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, was knocked out early and will now play in the London Classic at the Emirates Stadium which starts next Wednesday, 26 November. It is an all-Uzbek semi-final as Sindarov's opponent is Nodirbek Yakubboev, 23, whose refusal, for religious reasons, to shake hands with India's Vaishali Rameshbabu at the start of their game at Wijk aan Zee made headlines."

The $2m World Cup in Goa produced surprising upsets as established stars fell to younger or lesser-known competitors. Wei Yi, 26, returned from a six-year break after studying economics and management, won Wijk aan Zee in 2024, and reached the semi-finals after a 79-move quarter-final victory over Arjun Erigaisi. Andrey Esipenko, 23, eliminated Sam Shankland using an unusual Philidor plan and now challenges Russia's older elite. Javokhir Sindarov, 19, became the youngest semi-finalist and joins an all-Uzbek semi-final against Nodirbek Yakubboev, whose past handshake refusal drew headlines; Nodirbek Abdusattorov exited earlier but will play the London Classic.

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